'It will be a struggle' - Robbie Fowler on England's chances at Euro 2012

Former England striker Robbie Fowler has stated that the Three Lions will struggle to go far in Euro 2012, but says that they are a better side for having Steven Gerrard as captain.

The national team have been dealt significant injury blows this week, with Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill forced out of the competition, and Fowler thinks it will be a tall order for them to compete against some of the bigger teams.

"It will be tough for them [England] to win it," the former England international told reporters.

"There are many other good teams out there, such as Germany, Spain and Netherlands. Even France has the potential to mix it up. On paper and on the pitch, they all look a better team than England.

"While of course I'm hoping they do well and go far in the tournament, but to be honest, I think it will be a struggle.

"Our key player has to be Steven Gerrard. I've played with him and had him as my captain. He's a fantastic player and any side with him in it is definitely be a better side.

"England are already missing Wayne Rooney which will be a big loss, so it will be down to the other players to stand up and be counted."

The former Liverpool striker was in Singapore as part of Courts wider efforts to promote football to the local community, and was pleased with the recent appointment of Brendan Rodgers as manager at the Anfield club.

He added: "I think it is a good appointment.

"His record at Swansea last season was fantastic. I hope he'll come into Liverpool and get them playing the right way, because a club like Liverpool deserves to be high up in the league.

"In my book, it is a great appointment by the club.

"I don't believe [his] age is much of a problem. You know what they say about players, 'If you're young enough and good enough, then age does not really matter'. The same should apply to managers and Brendan Rodgers."

Fowler recently made the move to Asia to play for Muangthong United, where he was briefly named player/manager, but left the club and has admitted that the standard was not the greatest, but was far better than he had expected it to be.

"Well, it’s not Premier League standard if that’s what you’re asking," he said.

"But there are some technically gifted players, as skilled as any player I've seen.

"The football system here just needs a little bit of tweaking because Southeast Asian football definitely has potential to improve. The standard that I have seen so far is good, far better than I expected!"