San Marino v England: Roy Hodgson's men must prepare for the unexpected in World Cup tie, warns Steven Gerrard In such circumstances, Gerrard knows that the timing of the first goal will be critical. "The pressure grows," he said. The longer the game goes on at 0-0, it gets a bit edgy. You're more tense and the fans get frustrated which adds to the pressure. We don't want to experience that. We'd like to go in a couple of goals up and then build on that. This is about the tempo and our professionalism. It's important we don't get dragged down to what they want, to play slow and disrupt the game. The match has already been partially overshadowed by the controversial withdrawal from the squad of Rio Ferdinand but Gerrard is adamant that it has not impacted on the concentration of the players. "There's always an issue or an agenda around the games - I just try and keep the players focused," he said. Gerrard would not be drawn on Ferdinand's specific situation but, having not missed a minute in the Premier League this season for Liverpool, the comparison between their respective schedules and apparent priorities seems telling. "I'm not tired," said Gerrard. My body's good, I'm good. I have my own personal programme that I stick to. Two days of recovery after a game, taking it easy. Playing for England is the pinnacle of everyone's career. If I'm not playing I'll be very disappointed. Of course, I'm disappointed that Rio is not here because he's a fantastic player and he's in top form. I don't know if Rio has turned his back on it. I don't know the details from his side. But that's what I want to achieve: help take this team to a World Cup in Brazil. At my age, there's no better stage to play on. The absence of Ferdinand from central defence has been compounded by injuries to Michael Dawson and Gary Cahill, who will now definitely also miss the World Cup tie in Montenegro next Tuesday. Chris Smalling and Joleon Lescott are expected to be paired together against San Marino, with Hodgson saying that it would be "harsh" on his four centre-backs to use midfielder Michael Carrick as an emergency replacement. Ashley Cole, who with Lescott, Jermain Defoe and James Milner is only one booking away from suspension, is not expected to start at left-back but should return in place of Leighton Baines against Montenegro. Meanwhile, the potential UK television blackout of England's game against Montenegro was avoided on Thursday after ITV agreed a fresh deal to secure the rights to show the game.