England captain John Terry has warned Chelsea team-mate Lampard should not be written off despite falling to the bench in Friday's match in Bulgaria.

Manager Fabio Capello insisted Frank Lampard, who could return to the starting line-up for Tuesday's crunch Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales, remains a key member and 'one of the leaders' of his squad.

The 33-year-old's international future has been the subject of debate over the weekend after he made a cameo performance in the 3-0 win in Sofia -  the first occasion the midfielder had been left out of an England starting XI, when fit and available, for a competitive game since the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

But club colleague Terry warned: 'Write Frank Lampard off at your peril.'

Frankly speaking: John Terry has warned Lampard's critics to write the midfielder off at their peril

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Wembley clash Terry added: 'I have known him an awful long time and he was disappointed about not starting but trained incredibly hard the day after and he remains one of the best players I have ever played with.

'Because of his age people tend to write him off but he is still in excellent form. His record for England has been incredible.'
Boss Capello hinted Lampard would return to face Wales suggesting England will adopt a different approach to Friday's win over Bulgaria.

'Frank Lampard is a really important player,' said Capello.

'Like others that are here and some players that are not here like (Jack) Wilshere, Steven Gerrard and other ones.
'I think he's ready to play with us.

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