Frank Lampard’s Euro 2012 hopes are in the balance after he injured his thigh in training this morning.
The Chelsea midfielder will have a scan tomorrow but England, who fly out to Poland for the finals a week today, have already placed Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson on stand-by.
Lampard only joined the squad yesterday after being given a break following Chelsea’s Champions League triumph.
The 33-year-old’s place in the England team has been in doubt for much of the last year but he was handed the No8 shirt yesterday when Roy Hodgson announced his squad for the finals.
Lampard has enjoyed a revival following Roberto di Matteo’s appointment as manager in March, helping Chelsea win the FA Cup and become champions of Europe.
Before suffering his injury today, Lampard spoke of his hopes that England can take a leaf out of Chelsea’s book.
The Blues were the underdogs in the Champions League but defied the odds with stunning victories over Napoli, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Given that Roy Hodgson was only appointed England manager earlier this month, fans are not getting carried away with the team’s chances.
But Lampard hopes England’s Chelsea contingent — who also include John Terry, Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill — can inspire the rest of the squad.
He said: “The Champions League win is one of those things you will always look back on in the future and it will get better and better with age.
“It’s been such a long time for us as individuals and for Chelsea as a club to win it. It was such a special thing. It will be something that people will remember with the best memories. I’m hoping the fact we’ve had such a success can help greatly with England.”
Lampard is relishing the prospect of Eden Hazard joining Chelsea and England fans could get a first-hand look at the midfielder’s quality during the Wembley friendly with Belgium on Saturday.
Hazard, 21, announced on Monday that he has signed for the Blues in a £32million deal.
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Lampard said: “It was very exciting to hear the news. I haven’t seen so much French football but everyone I speak to says he is a very top young player. If he can bring that youth and hunger and ability into our team, then he’ll be very welcome.”
