Chelsea’s record goalscorer will notch up his ton against Ukraine on Tuesday and his long-term international team-mate, himself a centurion, cannot wait to share the moment

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has heaped praise on England team-mate Frank Lampard as the Chelsea man prepares to earn his 100th international cap.

Lampard will make it a century of appearances for the Three Lions if he features in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Tuesday, and Gerrard is looking forward to being involved.

“Nobody deserves it more than Frank,” he told reporters. “He’s been tremendous for club and country, he’s a top player.

“Hopefully I am on the pitch when he does get his 100th cap and I can share the moment with him because I have been with him all the way through. He’s a good friend of mine, I can’t wait for him to get it.”

Gerrard, who racked up his own ton in November 2012, insists he enjoys playing with Lampard, despite their midfield partnership coming in for criticism for the best part of the last decade.

“A lot of people talk about me and Frank being in the same team. You know, we enjoy playing together,” he added.

Lampard earned a new Chelsea contract at the end of the 2012-13 season thanks to a string of fine performances, as well as breaking the club’s scoring record.

And Gerrard is pleased to see him stay at Stamford Bridge: “He is too good for LA Galaxy. You have seen his form for Chelsea at the back end of last season. It would have been sad if he had moved away, he’s a great player.”