Lampard fires a warning

Lampard netted the first two goals in England's 5-0 win in Chisinau, with Jermain Defoe, Leighton Baines and James Milner also on target.

But Lampard and skipper Gerrard know Ukraine will be a different proposition at Wembley.

Lampard said: "Ukraine are a quality team, they showed that in glimpses in the game during the European Championships.

"It was a pretty impressive performance and a tough match for the team even though we got the win.

"They are certainly going to come to Wembley with intentions to make it difficult for us and show what they are about, so we will have to be on top form.

"We need to rest up, prepare right and try and keep the level of performance we are producing."

Gerrard, who set up Lampard's second goal, said: "It will be a different test on Tuesday.

"With all due respect to Moldova, Ukraine are a fantastic team as they showed in the Euros. I'm sure it will be a lot tougher test."

Lampard is relishing being back in the international limelight at the age of 34 and determined to enjoy every minute.

He said: "It was great. I really enjoyed it. I've enjoyed the whole week and being part of it.

"The older you get, the more you appreciate it. It won't go on forever so I'm just enjoying playing at the moment with exciting young players around.

"When you are part of a good performance and see the young players coming through, it gives a bit of excitement."

Defender Glen Johnson said: "We will look to start well again and hopefully get the same result.

"We worked like we usually do, we tried to start well and were fortunate to get a couple of early goals."

Johnson found himself walking a disciplinary tightrope after being booked after only four minutes for kicking the ball away.

England boss Roy Hodgson was able to reflect on a job well done but his team did not come through its trip to Chisinau completely unscathed.

Hodgson is anticipating bad news on John Terry's ankle injury and with the Chelsea man also expected to face his Football Association hearing before October's double-header, his future availability is a matter of debate.

Terry has denied a charge of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League game last October, having been cleared of any wrongdoing in the courts in July.

The blow of possibly losing Terry would be softened for the Wembley encounter with Ukraine by the availability of Gary Cahill, whom many felt would have partnered Terry last night anyway.

And the potential for Ashley Cole winning his 99th cap after an ankle injury is also positive news.

Even more importantly, England have slipped into a pleasant groove.

It may have appeared little has changed since Euro 2012.

However, first against Italy in Berne, then at the Zimbru Stadium last night, there were signs they have moved on a great deal.

Tom Cleverley's performances behind a lone striker have been a revelation. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain provides a different kind of option out wide.

Leighton Baines was an able deputy for Cole at left-back, whilst Frank Lampard underlined the contribution he can still make in midfield at the age of 34.

Beyond even that though, against limited opposition, with the result assured after half an hour, Hodgson was delighted how well his players maintained their focus.

"The professionalism and discipline were the biggest things," he said. "Even at the end there was no casual play.

"I don't feel we made that many bad decisions. I would have been more than happy to win it 2-0 or 3-0 but generally speaking, I thought it was a thoroughly professional, thoroughly disciplined performance."

Hodgson has shown greater flexibility than seemed likely following England's European Championship quarter-final appearance.

In the aftermath of that penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy in Kiev, it seemed Hodgson was wedded to the old 4-4-2 formation, which is no longer effective at the very highest level.

At 65, Hodgson has proved himself willing to adapt.

The use of Cleverley in particular was astute and raises the question of whether Wayne Rooney will return to his favoured 'number 10' role, or as the lead forward, when he is fit again. Jermain Defoe was proficient enough in the latter role against Moldova.

October includes a trip to Poland, who through its draw in Montenegro last night hinted it may be the biggest barrier to England's World Cup progress.

Ukraine cannot be dismissed lightly either, despite the retirement of star man Andriy Shevchenko since England beat them in Donetsk less than three months ago.

And, as Hodgson's assistant Gary Neville has pointed out, margin for error in qualification tournaments is slim.

"We have to qualify for a World Cup - and qualification is difficult," Neville told FATV.

"We have to perform. We travel to some difficult places, including Poland and Ukraine, so we have to be at our best.

"World Cup qualification is about professionalism. You can't afford mistakes.

"You might get away with one. You can't afford two or three."