Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard admits his call-up to the England squad this season was a big reality check.

Bullard, 30, said: "It wasn't until I got to train with Frank (Lampard) that I realised the level needed to be an England player. Everything about him is absolute quality - his touch, vision and then there's his ability to score goals.

"What better way for a midfielder to make headlines than to score goals?"

Bullard goes into today's game with Newcastle having scored just three since the start of the year.

He added: "I've never been a massive goalscorer. When you see Frank or Steven Gerrard it's unbelievable how many they score.

"I don't know how they do it but they seem to score every week.

"I need to improve that part of my game but I don't think it's something you can practice that much - it's all about natural ability.

"It's been said it's harder for me because I don't have the players around me that they do. But I bet if they played for Fulham they'd still be banging them in."