Lampard sidelined for three weeks

FRANK LAMPARD has been ruled out of England’s friendly against Brazil today and will also miss Chelsea’s top of the table showdown with Arsenal at the end of the month after the club confirmed he will be sidelined for three weeks.

It was originally feared Lampard was facing a six-week lay off after damaging his thigh while on England duty.

The midfielder spent seven hours cramped on a plane on the way to Qatar for today’s match.

Lampard strained his left thigh while sprinting during England’s first training session.

“But Chelsea yesterday confirmed the midfielder will be out for three weeks with a muscle tear.

A Chelsea spokesman said: “It has been confirmed that Frank suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh while away with the England national team.

“The midfielder reported back at Cobham this morning, having flown back from the Middle East.

“The Chelsea medical department’s initial impression is that he may take approximately three weeks to recover.”

Lampard and the rest of the England squad were reportedly forced to spend the long-haul flight to Doha on a charter plane designed for short-haul only.

England’s players are used to having flat beds for long journeys and were allegedly shocked to find seats which hardly reclined.

Several players are understood to have complained of cramp and muscle pain after the flight.

Lampard will now miss their Champions League clash in Porto and their Barclays Premier League battle against Arsenal.

Lampard’s Chelsea team-mate John Terry is also a doubt for today’s game. The defender is struggling with an ankle problem.

The 28-year-old Chelsea defender was hurt during a training run although England boss Fabio Capello hopes he will be fit to face Brazil.

If Terry is unable to start today Capello will hand Wayne Rooney the captain’s armband.

Capello is still hopeful Terry will be fit for England’s high-profile friendly with Brazil in Qatar.

However, having pledged to take no risks with the Chelsea skipper Capello needs a contingency plan.

And although Gareth Barry, the only other player available today who could constitute part of England’s current first-choice XI, stood in for Terry at yesterday’s pre-match press conference, it will be Rooney who gets the job.

It represents an impressive show of faith in the 24-year-old, given his previous explosions of temper.

Only last Sunday he mouthed the words “12 men” at a TV camera following United’s controversial defeat at Chelsea, although the striker did admit yesterday he was wrong to do so.

However, Capello has no reservations.

“It will be Rooney,” said the Italian. “I think Rooney is ready to be a captain. Why not?”

Even if Terry is fit, Capello will look to a team largely comprised of fringe players to try to record England’s fourth victory over the world’s most glamorous team.