• England

My World Cup place not certain - Lampard

ESPN staff
November 15, 2013
Lampard to lead England against Chile

He may be leading England out at Wembley on Friday night to earn his 103rd cap, but Frank Lampard says he is fully aware his place in the World Cup squad is not certain.

The 35-year-old Chelsea midfielder captains the side against Chile in the absence of injured Steven Gerrard.

But England manager Roy Hodgson will have to make a decision whether or not he takes all three of his central midfielders in their 30s - Lampard, Gerrard and Michael Carrick.

Gerrard, if fit, is a certainty, so it could come down to form and fitness between Lampard and Carrick.

"If I walked around thinking my 103 caps would get me on the plane I would probably be on the beach," Lampard told the Daily Mirror.

"That means you are taking things for granted and I don't think any of us can afford to do that."

"I think it will be judged mainly on the rest of the season and I think we're all in the same boat there.

"I think what we've done up to now carries a bit of weight, some more than others, but if your form is not good enough in what is quite a big period of time, we are talking six or seven months until May when our season finishes, then we have to accept that."

Lampard will receive a commemorative golden cap from England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst and father Frank Sr before kick-off after making 100 international appearances.

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