Frank Lampard has been tipped to earn his 100th cap for England against Ukraine in Kiev on Tuesday evening.
Although the Three Lions have not won a major tournament during Lampard's career to date, the Chelsea midfielder is regarded by many to be one of the best players to have pulled on a white shirt.
So, as he nears the milestone, Sports Mole looks back on the most defining moments of the 35-year-old's stint with England.
Debut
Kevin Keegan had decided that he had seen enough of Lampard at the age of 21 years and 112 days to hand him his first outing for England. Then at West Ham United, the midfielder featured from the beginning against Belgium at the Stadium of Light in 1999 and was involved in the home side's opening goal when his attempted shot was acrobatically diverted into the net by Alan Shearer. England won the match 2-1, with Lampard replaced in the closing stages by Dennis Wise.
First goal
Having been overlooked for the European Championships in 2000 and the World Cup two years later, Lampard fired in his maiden international goal against Croatia at Portman Road in 2003. He replaced the injured Nicky Butt during the first half and made the most of his 12th cap in the closing stages when he sent a lay-off from James Beattie into the top corner of the net.
Euro 2004
Lampard's emergence on the international scene was so strong that it forced coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to use Paul Scholes on the left wing to accommodate the midfield trio that also included Steven Gerrard. Lampard rewarded the faith shown in him by producing his best showing for England at a major tournament as he scored two goals in the group stages against France and Croatia. He then netted late in extra time during the quarter-final against hosts Portugal to send the tie into penalties, which England lost 6-5. Nevertheless, the Chelsea man was named in UEFA's Team of the Tournament.
2006 World Cup qualification
England qualified for the 2006 World Cup thanks to a slender one-point advantage over Poland. They would also have Lampard to thank, largely because he fired in five goals during the qualification process, including strikes against the Poles as well as British rivals Northern Ireland and Wales. The main tournament would not go as well for him, though, as he failed to score and missed a penalty during the quarter-final shootout against Portugal.
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Jeered by supporters
Despite the fact that they had voted him their Player of the Year in 2005, 24 months later a section of England supporters booed Lampard's introduction during a Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia. It prompted this response from teammate Joe Cole: "I don't really know what to say because, for me, Frank has been one of England's most consistent players over the years. It's not nice to hear one of your mates getting that because he's a top player.
"For me he's one of the best players in the world and doesn't deserve it. He's one of the best players I've played with and has never let Chelsea or England down. I don't understand it. He was voted England's Player of the Year and rightly so because he was brilliant. It's something that should not happen and you've just got to keep on going."
Wrongly disallowed goal
England were humiliated in their second-round clash with Germany at the 2010 World Cup finals, but it could have been very different had Lampard's clear goal been awarded by the officials. Trailing 2-0, defender Matthew Upson reduced the arrears in the 37th minute. Then moments later Lampard had seemingly levelled up proceedings when his dipping strike beat Manuel Neuer and dropped over the line via the crossbar. However, the ball immediately bounced back into play, with Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda failing to spot the goal. Fabio Capello's men went on to lose 4-1.
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Injury ends Euro 2012 chance
At the age of 33, Lampard must have known that his chances of tasting success with England were running out. As a result, it would have been a bitter blow when he picked up a thigh problem that would ultimately rule him out of the Euros in Poland and Ukraine. Manager Roy Hodgson said at the time: "The fact that the doctor cannot guarantee Frank could take part in any of the group matches means we have to replace him in the central midfield area.
"Apart from it being a huge blow to me and the team, I'm especially disappointed for Frank himself. He has been in very good form and was looking forward to the tournament. He made a huge contribution towards us qualifying for the Euros so it is cruel to be forced out through injury just before the tournament." Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson was brought in as his replacement.
Important friendly goals
Either side of Euro 2012, Lampard scored winning goals in friendly clashes against world champions Spain and Brazil. The strike against the five-time winners of the World Cup in particular was a trademark effort. Earlier this year, he also scored from close range in a meeting with the Republic of Ireland at Wembley that salvaged a 1-1 draw for the home side.
