Frank Lampard is desperately hoping his international career does not grind to a halt in five weeks' time.

Lampard is set to become the eighth member of England's exclusive 100-club on Tuesday when he reaches his landmark century of caps.

Yet the World Cup qualifier with Ukraine in Kiev has a wider significance than merely underlining the Chelsea man's status as one of the most prominent players of his generation.

For if England win, it will move them to within touching distance of a place at next summer's finals in Brazil.

However, there is a somewhat less palatable scenario too.

Defeat for Roy Hodgson's men would leave them two points adrift of their hosts, with just two matches to do something about it, and Ukraine's final match is a less than arduous trip to San Marino, who they demolished 9-0 on Friday.

"I would hate that," said Lampard.

"I enjoy being with this group of players. I enjoy the manager. I enjoy playing with the young kids in the team and playing alongside people like Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole, who I have played with for a long time.

"It will certainly be something I wouldn't want (to get knocked out).

"England want to get to the World Cup. The fans want to get there.

"I wouldn't want to go out like that, that's for sure."

Although Lampard spoke of his disappointment at missing out on Euro 2008 on Sunday, he admitted he has not particularly enjoyed his World Cup experiences either.

Lampard famously had a penalty saved in the 2006 shoot-out defeat to Portugal, and he then watched in horror four years later when what would have been the equalising goal in a last-16 meeting with Germany was inexplicably not given, even though Lampard's shot bounced off the bar and a yard over the line.

"You become a little bit more level headed with age," Lampard said.

"I wouldn't say there was a score to settle.

"I have been to two World Cups. But obviously if the opportunity arose to go and have a bit more of a personal impact that would be great."

The importance of Tuesday's game has not been lost on Sir Trevor Brooking, who thinks England will be destined for a play-off if they lose in the Olympic Stadium.

A Ukraine victory will put the former Soviet republic two points clear at the top of Group H, and they then have two winnable games in Poland at home and San Marino away.

"We must not lose because I am pretty sure Ukraine will win their last two games and they would then top the group [if they beat England]. We've got to draw or win," the Football Association's director of football development told talkSPORT.

"It is one of those crunch games. It's good that we go into it on the back of a good performance."

The other England centurions:

ASHLEY COLE (104 caps, 2001-)

Cole has made the left-back role his own for over a decade, having made his England debut as a 20-year-old under Sven-Goran Eriksson. He has overtaken Kenny Sansom to become England's most-capped full-back, and while he may not be the most popular player among supporters there has been little questioning of his position, with the likes of Wayne Bridge and Leighton Baines having been unable to usurp him.

STEVEN GERRARD (104 caps, 2000-)

The current captain, Gerrard may have struggled at times to bring his Liverpool form to the international stage but he has remained a key man in the England engine room, taking over from David Beckham as its driving force. Determined to lead the team to next summer's World Cup, which is likely to mark his international swansong.

PETER SHILTON (125 caps, 1970-1990)

Shilton, who started out his long career at hometown club Leicester, made his England debut against East Germany at Wembley in 1970. He would go on to feature at the European Championship twice as well as three World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in 1990.

DAVID BECKHAM (115 caps, 1996-2009)

Beckham remains England's most-capped outfield player, having made his debut for new manager Glenn Hoddle against Moldova in September 1996. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid man captained England at two World Cups, coming full circle after being vilified for his sending-off against Argentina at the 1998 finals in France.

BOBBY MOORE (108 caps, 1962-1973)

West Ham centre-back Moore led England to World Cup glory at Wembley in 1966 and was respected throughout the game for his superb defending and sportsmanship - featuring in a famous photograph embracing Brazilian legend Pele after their clash at the 1970 World Cup. He passed away in 1993 aged 51 and Moore's statue now stands at the front of Wembley Stadium.

BOBBY CHARLTON (106 caps, 1958-1970)

Manchester United attacking midfielder Charlton was part of the 1966 World Cup-winning squad, and remains England's all-time record goalscorer with 49. Charlton's last appearance for the Three Lions came in the quarter-final defeat to West Germany at the 1970 World Cup, which made him at the time England's most capped outfield player.

BILLY WRIGHT (105 caps, 1946-1959)

Wolves defender Wright was England's first centurion, the team captain earning his 100th cap against Scotland at Wembley in 1959. Wright was also skipper of the England team which suffered a shock defeat to the United States at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, but would go on to play again at two more tournaments. He passed away aged 70, his ashes scattered on the pitch at Molineux. His statue now stands outside the ground.