As Frank was establishing himself in the West Ham first team, he was spotted by then England U21 manager Peter Taylor. Frank made his U21 debut on 13th November 1997 in Crete against Greece. He went on to captain the team on a regular basis and made a total of 19 appearances at the level, scoring a total of 7 goals. His final appearance was in the European U21 championships in Bratislava against Slovakia (1st June 2000).

During his U21 career Frank did make one appearance for the full England team. This was in a friendly match against Belgium at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, on October 10th 1999.

Despite having had a successful spell in the U21 team Frank has yet to be given a regualr start for the full squad. During 2001/2002, he was only used for friendlies and despite having a good season for Chelsea he was omitted from the team which went to the World Cup Finals. A bitter blow for Frank but one which he has used to his advantage.

Frank began the 2002/03 domestic season showing that the he was good enough to contend for an England place. However in the first squad of the season, for the friendly against Portugal at Villa Park in the September he was left out. Again he continued to do his best for Chelsea and hoped that the England coach was taking note. After a number of superb performances for club, Frank was again chosen for the England squad.

After an excellent season for Chelsea Frank was chosen as a squad member for the 3 matches which were to take place at the end of the 2002/03 season. These consisted of 2 friendlies and a Euro 2004 qualifier. The squad travelled out to South Africa for a match against South Africa. Frank didn't start the match but he came on as a second half substitute and made an immediate impact, in trying to score himself, the shot rebounded and fell to Emile Heskey who immediately scored for England. Frank's half hour on the pitch turned a game and it bode well for the other matches. June saw two crucial matches and Frank was picked to start against Serbia & Montengro, however he played in a unfamiliar role on the left side of midfield BUT he had an excellent game, lasting 60 minutes before beinmg substituted - his longest stint on the pitch for Ericksson. Contributing much in 60 minutes he was in the frame for the Euro 2004 Qualifier against Slovakia, even if it was as a substitute, his performance meritted some reward.

Frank finally made his competitive debut on 11th June 2003. He played the entire match and was superb, he had finally been given the chance to show what he could do and he took his opportunity. Two shots went wide but he was on the line on 68 minutes to tap in his first England goal - which was disallowed for offside, a decision which is still baffling as he was clearly onside. His debut goal on a debut competitive performance ruled out but Frank's profile was raised. Press reports the following day were favourable and finally Frank got the recognition he deserved. Can Sven now keep him on the bench for future competitive matches? I think not and with Euro 2004 looming Frank has made a clear case for being kept in as a vital member of the squad.

The 2003/04 season was the season that saw Frank becoming an integral member of the England team and his club form ensured that he was one of the players chosen to represent England in Euro 2004. Of course debate raged about whether Frank was to start instead of Nicky Butt. The FA's Summer Tournament at the City of Manchester Stadium was an ideal opportunity for Frank to show that he was indeed good enough to be selected ahead of Nicky Butt. Frank had a superb game against Iceland, scoring a wonderful goal and ensuring that Sven had to pick him to start against France in Lisbon.

Frank made his mark on Euro 2004 scoring England's only goal against France and then going on to score against Portugal. His industrious work rate showed that he had come of age as a player and earned him a place in UEFA's team of the championships.

Frank is now an established member of the England squad and like Chelsea he wears the number 8 shirt.  Qualifying for the World Cup was not as easy as some would have you believe with a below par performance against Northern Ireland (who deserved to win) and less than inspiring performances against other teams in friendlies and qualifying.  England qualified top of their group and Frank gave consistently brillaint performances and added to his goal tally and it was without question a certainty that barring injury he would make the World Cup squad and shine.

Things didn't quite pan out like we wanted and England's performances at the World Cup were dull and uninspired.  The coach had already confounded and confused fans by picking tried and untested Theo Walcott and leaving proven scorers at home and much was expected of Frank and his England colleagues.  We were knocked out by Portugal on penalties.  Frank took the first and missed.  During the World Cup and since, Frank has been "blamed" for England's poor performances.  One man does not a team make and others failed to shine, but its unfair to single out Frank.  He will no doubt agree that he wasn't at his best form but to blame him would be unfair.  He gained the FIFA man of the match award for England's first match against Paraguay (which unless you visited the website you wouldn't have known about).  Its time now to put 2006 and 40 years of hurt behind England and strive for a win in Euro 2008.

To take England into Euro 2008 and at the time of writing Steve McClaren, new England coach has selected his first team for the friendly against Greece at Old Trafford.  He has rung the changes but Frank remains a stalwart of the team.  What comes of this new England era remains to be seen but Frank is an integral part of the dream for glory at Euro 2008