Euro 2012: Steven Gerrard daring to dream as England ahead of Belgium warm-up That hunger was also voiced by his captain. "Listen, when you go home early from a tournament, they're not the best times but preparing for these tournaments, being out there, this is stuff you dream of as a young boy,"" said Gerrard. You want to be part of this. That is why he lamented the loss through injury of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry. With the likes of Frank and Gareth, it's a hell of a blow to take because these are good times. I feel for those people, I really do. I've been there. It's a killer."" With Lampard and Barry gone, Hodgson hopes that Parker swiftly reacquires sharpness after his Achilles problem. "He's been training non-stop since he got here, but he hadn't played for a month before he got here,"" said Hodgson. That's where the fitness concerns are. He'll start against Belgium and that'll be an important part of him getting more match fitness. I ask him every day how he is. He says he's fine, perfectly OK. He's going to get fed up with me asking him. Lampard's place in the squad has been taken by Jordan Henderson, whose Uefa clearance came through yesterday. He's chosen on merit in the same way that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was chosen on merit. I'd be very sad if people thought I was using this tournament as experimentation for the future. I'm hoping to take a squad to the Euros who can do well. I believe the Oxlade-Chamberlains, Hendersons and Butlands of the world can help us there. Jack Butland, the tall, imposing teenager, certainly impressed with his shot-stopping in training at Wembley. Oxlade-Chamberlain's rich potential was seen in some of his runs during the high-tempo session and he will surely deliver another reminder of his talent on Saturday. Henderson switched play neatly at times on Friday. "He's had a little bit of criticism but credit to him, he's played through it,"" said Gerrard of his Liverpool team-mate. People judge Jordan on his £20 million price tag, rather than his age, 21, and potential. He's got a very bright future. He's a very good passer, very fit, looks after himself, doesn't touch alcohol. He's got a body a lot of footballers would be jealous of."" Henderson may appear after the break against a good Belgian side boasting Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and Thomas Vermaelen, although there are doubts over Vincent Kompany. Hodgson cannot wait. A huge patriot, the south Londoner will fill with pride when walking out of the dressing-room, past the bust of Sir Alf Ramsey and out in the limelight. "Managing at Wembley is fantastic,"" he said. Last week in Oslo was good but it will not compare to this: 90,000 people at Wembley, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. It'll be a very big occasion for me personally. He first experienced Wembley at the 1975 FA Cup final between West Ham and a Fulham side including Bobby Moore. Hodgson added that he had never played there "unless you're kind enough to count representing a Uefa XI against an FA XI the day after the Euro 96 final. We got beat. We lost our goalkeeper with a broken arm to the first save he tried to make. There was some irony in that because he was the Uefa treasurer... Talking of Uefa dignitaries, David Elleray from Nyon's referees" committee has addressed Gerrard and company on what to expect from officials at the Euros. "We have to be slightly more careful at international level compared to what we're used to in our league,"" said Gerrard of the art of tackling. In another meeting, the players were told they could carry on tweeting by the Football Association unlike the Spanish and Danish. The players were advised not to divulge any sensitive team or injury information and not to tweet on match-day or the day before. Gerrard does not tweet but he talked frankly when asked about whether England could win the Euros. It's harder to win than the World Cup because the standard is even higher. If you look at our previous form in tournaments, you say "no." But if you look at Greece in 2004, Denmark in 1992, Liverpool in 2005 and Chelsea in the Champions League, you'll still have that bit of belief. Gerrard dares to dream. So do rising stars like Oxlade-Chamberlain and Welbeck.