Saturday 16 June 2018 22:28, UK
Fabian Delph says England "are not looking at anything other" than returning from Russia as World Cup "heroes".
England open their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on Monday knowing they have not progressed beyond the World Cup quarter-final stage since finishing in fourth at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
However, Delph admits the squad have discussed reaching the latter rounds and has called upon the nation to get behind them.
"We could go back heroes and we are not looking at anything other than that," said Delph
"Doing our country proud, doing our families and friends proud. The guys that are working next to us day in, day out in the national team - we are all in it together. You guys get behind us and let's have a good go at it.
"We have spoken about it, what it would be like to have a very good tournament. There are young kids watching us and we can set examples by performing well and going far, if not winning the World Cup."
Even if England are able to advance to the final stages of the tournament, Delph could find himself on an early plane home from Russia as his wife is expecting to give birth to his child mid-World Cup.
"I don't think it would affect me mentally," said Delph,when asked about the impending birth of his child.
"Obviously I would have to go back to England and come back again. It's not ideal but it's part of life. I'm about to have my third child and I am not going to miss it, if I can help it.
"We'll have to see. [Teammates] are fine about it, Gareth [Southgate] understands how important my family is to me. He's the same as well. We spoke about it a lot, he was once away at an England camp and had to fly back to see the birth of his child. He only got there 10 minutes before he said, so hopefully I can do the same.
"I've spoke to the guys at the FA and they will organise a plane for me to get back as fast as possible.
"We have a fantastic squad with great players so if I am selected to play and have to go back, there are players more than capable of doing the job I can do, if not better. I'm confident I've made the right decision."
