Last updated on .From the section 2014 Fifa World Cup

Captain Steven Gerrard says the England squad have been practising penalties "a lot" ahead of the World Cup but insists they are not obsessed with spot-kicks.

England have the worst penalty shootout record in World Cup history, external-link with three defeats out of three.

Six of their last 10 major tournaments have ended in shootout losses.

"I understand the fixation because we've failed in a few," said Gerrard. "But don't get carried away with it because it might never come about."

England's major shootout woes 1990 World Cup: England's shootout hell begins as they crash out in the semi-finals against Germany, with Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missing from the spot.

Euro 96: After shootout success in the last eight against Spain, the tournament ends with defeat by Germany in the semi-finals as Gareth Southgate misses in the shootout.

1998 World Cup: Paul Ince and David Batty are the culprits as Argentina progress from the second round at England's expense.

Euro 2004: Darius Vassell fails to convert from the spot and England are knocked out by Portugal in the last eight.

2006 World Cup: Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard's penalties are saved and England go out in the quarter-finals to Portugal.

Euro 2012: Another quarter-final defeat for England, this time against Italy, with Ashley Young and Ashley Cole failing from the spot.

The captain added: "Hopefully we perform well enough in 90 minutes or 120 minutes to prevent it going to a shootout, but we will be ready if it comes around."

England lost on penalties at the 1990, 1998 and 2006 World Cups.

They last won a shootout at Euro 96, beating Spain in the quarter-finals before losing to Germany - on penalties - in the last four.

Sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters, who made his name with the British Olympic cycling team and has also worked with both Liverpool and former world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, will help the squad with mental preparation in Brazil.

"We are going to practise penalties a lot, but it is a difficult situation to put into words," Gerrard, who has worked with Peters at Anfield, told BBC Radio 5 live Sport.

"A penalty shootout is a more pressurised situation than any one penalty in a league game. You have an awful lot more time to think about your penalty and what is at stake is a lot bigger."

Gerrard missed a penalty against Portugal in the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup but scored in a shootout defeat by Italy at Euro 2012.

He said he had learned from his 2006 experience in Germany, adding: "It was a difficult atmosphere to be in."

Go to our new World Cup features and video index for in-depth content and analysis.