Four years after the pain of failing to make England's [Images] 2002 World Cup squad, Frank Lampard [Images] is revelling in the chance to be a match-winner in Germany [Images].

By sheer determination, Lampard has transformed himself from a plodding midfielder to a goal-scoring regular who will be key to England's chances of success at the finals.

The contrast is highlighted by his three goals at Euro 2004, two Premier League title-winning seasons in which he finished as Chelsea's top scorer and a 2005 footballer of the year award.

The turning point came in 2002, when a rejected Lampard took a long hard look at himself.

"I was upset to miss out on the World Cup and I didn't want to get that feeling again," he told reporters at England's training camp in Portugal.

"I went away and was a bit thoughtful and worked hard. I came back with a positive rather than a negative mindset, of wanting to get into the England side and staying there. Fortunately enough, I did that not long after.

"Every player in his career has setbacks. You get rejections and the measure of a top player is how they come back from those rejections and (if) they come back even stronger. And I did that."

Along with his playmaking skills, Lampard's nine goals in his last 20 internationals have underlined the value of a player whom many now see as key to England's hopes in Germany. Captain David Beckham [Images] has also passed him the job of leading penalty-taker.

Happy with the mantle of responsibility, Lampard said: "That's what you strive for.

- World Cup schedule

"When I was on the fringes of the squad for the last World Cup squad, I was craving to be a David Beckham or a Michael Owen [Images] or one of the main players.

"I do feel important now to the team and to the squad and I hope to make the contribution that one of those players should do. I enjoy it.

"It brings pressure but a good pressure. If you want to make your mark at the top level you have to handle that."

ROONEY'S ABSENCE

Lampard's strike rate will be particularly valuable with the likely absence of injured striker Wayne Rooney [Images] for at least the group stages of the tournament.

Owen, England's other main striker, cannot be expected to shoulder all the burden of hauling the team out of Group B. Some of it will have to be shared by Lampard and his fellow midfielders Steven Gerrard, Beckham and Joe Cole.

"If there are injuries to strikers, then of course, we will have extra responsibility," said the 27-year-old.

"We've got natural goalscorers in midfield, we're all confident we can score. If you are going to win the World Cup, you need goals from midfield as well as your strikers."

"We all know we stand on the brink of making history, making a name for yourself personally and as a team. We have got a great opportunity to do that."