Steven Gerrard has blamed a lack of fitness for his poor performances in England's recent World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland.

Prior to the qualifers, Gerrard, 25, had been recovering from a calf injury.

The Liverpool midfielder said: "I suffered in the two England games because I wasn't 100% fit.

"My performances against Wales and Northern Ireland were not good enough. Now I am 100% - I can feel the sharpness coming back. I feel good."

England's defeat at the hands of Northern Ireland means that Sven-Goran Eriksson's side need to beat Austria and Poland in their final two qualifiers in October if they are to finish top of Group Six and automatically qualify for the 2006 finals in Germany.

"I think it was just the timing of the two England games," added Gerrard. "If they had come two or three weeks later and I could have got some training under my belt you would have seen a better Steven Gerrard.

"Hopefully, I'll get the chance to play in the games coming up with Austria and Poland at Old Trafford and will be 100% fit."