Frank Lampard has been ruled out of England’s Euro 2012 campaign, after picking up a thigh injury in team training.
The Chelsea midfielder pulled up on Wednesday, with scans yesterday proving that the veteran will not be able to compete for the Three Lions in Ukraine and Poland.
Liverpool‘s Jordan Henderson ahs been called up to the main contingent from the stand-by list, but Roy Hodgson could not hide his disappointment that Lampard will not be able to represent the nation this summer.
“It’s a huge blow for the team, especially coming after the loss of another senior player in Gareth Barry,” Hodgson told Sky Sports.
“The fact that the doctor cannot guarantee Frank could take part in any of the group matches means we have to replace him in the central midfield area.
“Apart from it being a huge blow to me and the team, I’m especially disappointed for Frank himself.
“He has been in very good form and was looking forward to the tournament.
“He made a huge contribution towards us qualifying for the Euros so it is cruel to be forced out through injury just before the tournament,” he admitted.
England face Belgium on Saturday in their final friendly fixture before the start of Euro 2012, and Hodgson will hope that his players escape the match injury-free.
There are also rumours in the press that Hodgson is concerned over the sharpness of Scott Parker, who is yet to fully recover from an injury either, shortening England’s options in midfield dramatically.
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Rank | Team | W/D/L | Pts |
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Cities & Stadiums
The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments
Year | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Spain | Germany | Russia / Turkey |
2004 | Greece | Portugal | Netherlands / Czech Republic |
2000 | France | Italy | Netherlands / Portugal |
1996 | Germany | Czech Republic | France / England |
1992 | Denmark | Germany | Netherlands / Sweden |
1988 | Netherlands | Soviet Union | Italy / West Germany |
1984 | France | Spain | Denmark / Portugal |
1980 | West Germany | Belgium | Czechoslovakia |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | West Germany | Netherlands |
1972 | West Germany | Soviet Union | Belgium |
1968 | Italy | Yugoslavia | England |
1964 | Spain | Soviet Union | Hungary |
1960 | Soviet Union | Yugoslavia | Czechoslovakia |