Gerrard calls for Ukraine focus

Steven Gerrard insists there is no chance of England underestimating final Euro 2012 Group D opponents Ukraine on Tuesday.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will return in Donetsk when the Three Lions go in search of the point that would guarantee a place in the quarter-finals of the showpiece tournament. Head coach Roy Hodgson has already guarded against settling for a draw and captain Gerrard insists it would be folly to dismiss the threat of co-hosts Ukraine. Oleh Blokhin's men must take maximum points to avoid elimination on home soil but have still to win in Donetsk after six previous attempts, while talisman Andriy Shevchenko is rated only "50-50" to shake off a knee injury. Gerrard said the focus had to be on Ukraine and not beyond, while insisting it was right to lower expectations. "I am trying to force myself not to even talk about quarter-finals and get involved in it. It would be very disrespectful to the opposition," said the Liverpool midfielder. "Ukraine are very dangerous and we have watched tapes of them. Their combination play in the middle and around the box is good. "If I started talking about quarter-finals and we slipped up, I would never forgive myself. Let's deal with the quarter-finals and what to expect if we get there and not before."