LAMPARD WARY OF UKRAINIAN BACKLASH
FRANK LAMPARD has warned his England team-mates that Ukraine will be fired up to avenge their Euro 2012 defeat when the sides meet in Kiev tomorrow. Roy Hodgson’s side face the biggest test of their World Cup qualifying campaign when they take on the Group H rivals. Victory would put England three points clear at the summit, but defeat would likely leave them destined for the lottery of a play-off. Ukraine know victory will put them top of the table, but they will also still be reeling from the 1-0 defeat to Hodgson’s men during Euro 2012, according to Lampard. ‘That win won’t help us, but maybe it means a bit for them to get revenge,’ the Chelsea player said. ‘I’ve already got the buzz of the game. They can be very tough. It might not be the most enjoyable of games, but it’s a big game and we will give our best to get a result.’ All the talk at yesterday’s media conference surrounded Lampard’s 100th cap, which he is expected to receive tomorrow evening. With Ukraine hoping to snatch top spot, and a raucous atmosphere inside the 70,000-capacity Olympic Stadium, it will be a night for experienced heads like Lampard and centurions Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole. ‘The three of us need to bring that experience to the table and show that we can get the right result,’ he said. ‘The experienced heads, and the young boys, who are playing fantastically well for their clubs, have to stand up and show they can do it on the international stage. That’s what we need. ‘We’ll go there conscious they’re a strong team but confident in our own abilities. We’ve got the team to get a result, without a doubt.’ Already shorn of a host of attacking options, Hodgson has been hit by the suspension of Danny Welbeck, who picked up a booking for kicking the ball away in the 4-0 win against Moldova on Saturday. ‘It’s a big blow, he’s started the season well and he’s a very talented player,’ the former West Ham midfielder added. ‘I’ve enjoyed watching him for Manchester United and he scored two goals the other night, but we’ve got players who can come in and do the same job.’