Shock: Lampard expected to start

Asked whether Lampard could still start for England, Capello, perhaps intentionally, gave a confusing answer. 'Absolutely. I don't know. I need to wait. We have two lots of training. I don't know what will happen. He is part of this team and this squad.'

Just so: he is part of the squad and no more. In reality, though, there is unlikely to be a hasty disposal of Lampard's talents.
For some reason he, more than Gerrard or Beckham or Paul Scholes - who withdrew his services - appears to carry the burden of blame for the failure of the comically entitled Golden Generation.

His sacrifice would doubtless be celebrated by those desperately seeking to bury the traumas of those dashed expectations.

But Lampard still offers experience and technical quality that England can ill afford to ignore, albeit in a supplementary capacity. He is likely to get a chance to extend his England career if, like Beckham, who was eventually restored by Capello, he accepts a subordinate role as squad player and substitute.

Lampard undoubtedly will. Sources close to the player say he will not give up on England. His title-winning career indicates it is not in his nature to fold under pressure; he will use the setback as an inspiration to prove people wrong.

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