Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish says England need Steven Gerrard to stick around.
Gerrard is weighing up his international future after a dismal World Cup.
"If I was the England manager, I would be trying very hard to persuade Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard not to retire from international football," Dalglish wrote in the Daily Mirror.
"I have heard a lot about the kids coming through who are going to make Roy Hodgson's team contenders at Euro 2016. There are a few exciting talents out there, like Raheem Sterling and Luke Shaw, who have a lot of promise.
"But I don't see anyone ready to step in if Lampard and Gerrard retire. If Lampard and Gerrard do retire, a great big hole is going to open up in England's midfield.
"If I was in charge, I'd tell them not to worry about reporting for the September friendly. I'd just play them in competitive matches.
"These kids who are coming through need senior players to look up to at the start of their England careers. There is nobody better than Lampard and Gerrard to fill that role."
