England manager Roy Hodgson has played down fears about the fitness of Scott Parker and is optimistic his squad will all be in good shape for their opening Euro 2012 fixture against France. Having already seen Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry sidelined by injury, England can ill afford to lose another midfielder but Hodgson has eased concerns about Parker. There had been serious doubts about the 31-year-old’s form heading into the Euros after he missed Tottenham’s final four games with an achilles injury. Eye on the ball: Scott Parker is expected to win his fight for fitness ahead of France clash   However, when asked if he has any ongoing concerns about Parker’s overall fitness, Hodgson said: ‘No, not particularly, no more so than the obvious one that we were going to have, that when he came to join us having not played for Tottenham in the last two or three matches in the league. ‘So that was obviously going to be a factor, but we also knew we had lots of training time and now in the two weeks we’ve been training he’s taken part in every training session and he’s also played 60 minutes already and he’s available to play tomorrow. ‘So he’ll be getting fitter by the day, as will Wayne Rooney, and we’re quite happy that by the time we play France people will be in good physical shape.’ Parker’s apparent victory in his fitness fight is certainly welcome news, but Steven Gerrard insists the whole England squad would be able to cover for the loss suffered in the heart of the team. ‘I think the responsibility is on the whole squad,’ he said. ‘They are big players for the team and will be missed, but as a group we share the responsibility. It might alter my position slightly but we’ll have to wait and see what the manager decides to do.’ Listen up: Roy Hodgson dishes out instructions to his England players during Friday’s training session at Wembley Taking a swing: Wayne Rooney (3rd left) tries his luck during shooting practice Lampard was injured in training on Wednesday, but Gerrard said there had been no change in approach as a result. ‘It’s a huge blow that Frank’s got to go home, particularly on the back of Gareth Barry as well, but in training players have got to give it 100%. You can’t afford to ease back or relax because sometimes you can pick up injuries that way as well. ‘Training today was very high tempo, very physical as normal and thankfully everyone came through. Fingers crossed the squad can stay in good condition now.’ Middle men: Jordan Henderson (left) and Scott Parker work up a sweat during Friday’s training session Getting a feel for it: Henderson on the ball after answering a late call to join the England squad Lampard’s disappointment became Jordan Henderson’s opportunity as Gerrard’s Liverpool team-mate got the call to replace him in Roy Hodgson’s squad. ‘He’s buzzing,’ Gerrard said of Henderson. ‘He didn’t want it to happen this way because no one wants to see another player get injured, but you have to take your opportunities. ‘He’s a great player for the future and he’s excited by this opportunity.’ Henderson’s call-up takes the Liverpool contingent in the squad to five, something Gerrard believes is a good sign for a club under new management with the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Anfield. ‘There have been times in the squad where I’ve been here flying solo so to have five here is a good sign for our club and a good sign for England too,’ he said. Current England manager Hodgson is one of Rodgers’ predecessors at Anfield but his ill-fated spell in charge was brief. Worry: Theo Walcott had to have his ankle strapped during the workout However, Gerrard is enjoying the coach’s influence with England as he has introduced a more relaxed atmosphere than under Fabio Capello. ‘It is relaxed, it is fun, but at the same time the hard work and graft is getting done as well,’ Gerrard said. ‘I think that’s the way you’ve got to do things. ‘Make sure the work gets done, but also enjoy it too. As a player you don’t get too many opportunities to go to a big tournament so you have to enjoy it.’ Given the disruption caused by Capello’s departure and Hodgson’s late appointment, England’s expectations at the Euros have been downscaled considerably, but Gerrard insisted there is still no shortage of ambition within the squad. ‘Of course we’re ambitious,’ he said. ‘We still have to have that belief that we can go and do well. We don’t want to cause unnecessary expectation but we still believe we can go there and do really well.’ Captain has the stomach for a battle: Skipper Steven Gerrard prepares for training Taking it easy: Strikers Andy Carroll (left) and Danny Welbeck looked relaxed

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Euro 2012: Scott Parker will be fit, says Roy Hodgson