Wayne Rooney has spoken of his strong desire to fulfill his potential on the international stage, and admitted the forthcoming World Cup in Brazil could be his last opportunity to do so.
Speaking at England's training camp in Portugal, the Manchester United striker also took the chance to allay any questions there may have been surrounding his fitness - insisting he is ready and raring to go.
"Obviously I've been here before and I've said what I can deliver and do and it hasn't happened.
"For me personally I feel that at the World Cup in 2018 I’ll be a bit older then and it will be a little bit more difficult for me to impact in the way I believe I can do.
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"So I believe this is really the last big one I feel that I can get the best out of me. I feel ready and fresh and as good as I can do going into this tournament.
"I believe this is the one that I have to show what I can do and I believe I’m in the best possible condition to do that. I’m ready for it, I’m excited for it and there’ll be no excuses this time.
"I believe we can go far – our aim is to win the tournament. That’s what we’re preparing for and that’s what we’re hoping for - and with a little bit of luck we could do it."
Rooney, 28, missed the final three fixtures of the domestic season with a groin injury - but flew out to Vale do Lobo ahead of the squad to do extra preparation work - a move that he says has paid off.
"I feel good. I’m fully fit and took part in the full session on Monday," he added.
"I have done on Tuesday and Wednesday as well so I feel good and ready to do everything.
“This is really the last big one I feel that I can get the best out of me”
Wayne Rooney
"Obviously I missed the last few games of the season and I wanted to make sure that I was ready and available to train when the team met up. That was the reason behind it and it certainly helped me get up to speed with it and to be able to join in with the team on the first day."
With Rooney - preparing for his fifth major tournament and third World Cup - now one of the most experienced members of the group, the he also discussed his excitement about the next generation of England players coming through.
"There are so many young players in the squad now – and I think everybody can feel the excitement around the squad that Roy has picked," he added.
"Certainly I’m excited to play with these and to go to the biggest tournament of them all. It’s such a young squad and it has so much energy, so much pace – which I don’t believe we’ve had in previous tournaments will be great for us and I believe that we can do well."
