Lampard - We will be ready

England star vows squad will be prepared for opening game

By James Riach   Last updated: 3rd June 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Lampard - We will be ready

Lampard: Raring and ready

Midfielder Frank Lampard insists England will be 'fully prepared' by the time they kick-off in the World Cup.

The Three Lions arrived in South Africa on Thursday as they checked into their Rustenburg hotel ahead of their first game against the United States on 12th June.

Having come through friendly matches against Mexico and Japan with two wins, England are in good shape with the tournament only days away.

Gareth Barry is the only injury concern going into the competition, but Lampard is confident everyone will be ready and focused by the opening fixture.

"We know we will be fully prepared," he said. "With a little bit of luck, and with everyone fit, we will have as good a chance as anybody.

"We need to improve on the last few games but, when everyone is fit, we will go for it."

He added: "The game against Japan was a good workout for us. It showed the level we were at. It was just what we needed.

"The first-half tempo was probably a little bit slow but in the second half we got better. We pressed them which is what the manager wanted.

"The good thing is that I feel as we are improving and it has been quite intense in training. We have been training very hard.

"The manager, with the attention to detail that he shows, will go through everything. You can rest assured he won't leave any stone unturned."

Cole inclusion

Lampard was pleased to see Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole make it into Fabio Capello's final 23-man squad after an uncertain few weeks in the build up to the Italian's decision.

Cole made sure of his place after an impressive performance as a substitute against Japan and Lampard thought he made a big impact.

"It has been difficult for Joe," he remarked. "You want to get into the team and then take your chance to impress the manager.

"I thought Joe was awesome against Japan. He made a big impact and he's made the squad."

On his own fitness, he said: "I am fine. I just got a kick on the calf against Japan. I was going for a header and then I got a little bit of cramp in it.

"But it is nothing to worry about. The main thing is we got through that game with no injury concerns."

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