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Lampard to captain England in Denmark

Frank Lampard has not been involved in the England squad since August © Getty Images

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Frank Lampard will captain England in Wednesday's international friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen, England manager Fabio Capello has confirmed.

Lampard, who will get his 84th cap for his country, has been given the armband after regular captain Rio Ferdinand was ruled out with a groin injury suffered ahead of Manchester United's game with Wolves on Saturday.

Steven Gerrard would have been favourite to replace Ferdinand but will also miss the game due to injury despite playing 90 minutes of Liverpool's win over Chelsea on Sunday.

Capello said: ''I spoke with him [Lampard] about his injury that he suffered and I have been monitoring him during the last five games that he played. He has improved a lot. I saw him play against Liverpool and thought that he had a really good game - probably he is fresher than the other players.''

Capello confirmed that Ashley Cole would start, making him England's most capped full-back, while Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will play in midfield. Aston Villa's record signing Darren Bent will start the game up front, having impressed the Italian after his January transfer.

''I have watched two games he has played for Aston Villa,'' Capello said. ''When he was with Sunderland he played a different style because the manager asked him to stay close to the box and be fresh to score goals, but now he runs a lot more, presses a lot because the team play with a different style.

''He played well before but if you want to play with the seniors at this moment you have to be good when you go forward but also when you have to win the ball back and I think he has improved a lot.''

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