Lamps: I will not hide

Criticism hurts England star

By Stephen Bramley   Last updated: 20th August 2007

Lampard Frank

Lampard: Pain barrier

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Frank Lampard says he will play through the pain barrier to represent England against Germany on Wednesday.

The Chelsea midfielder has a ruptured tendon in his toe and needs reconstructive surgery, having been advised by club doctors he needs to rest or he could face months out on the sidelines.

But with England boss Steve McClaren already expected to be without Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves against Germany, Lampard says he will ignore doctor's orders in an effort to win his 55th cap for the Wembley friendly.

Pain

"The physio and the doctor have warned me that if I don't rest it will take three or four months to get better and I'll have pain and they said it would be better if I didn't go with England," Lampard told The Times.

"I thought about that. But, number one, I want to play for England, and number two, what's the point in resting it for a few days? It needs weeks and I don't have that."

Lampard has come in for some stick after recent displays for the national side, but is determined to prove his critics wrong.

Criticism

"Playing for England can be tough. I've worked bloody hard to get here, so of course criticism hurts but you can't be weak enough to let it bother you," he explained.

"I could pull out of this game if I wanted, say I've got a dodgy toe. But I will never hide. I can suffer getting booed. I'm not stupid. If we play crap I don't go asking: 'Why are they booing us?'"

The 29-year-old also believes he still warrants a berth in McClaren's midfield despite the re-emergence of David Beckham and has no thoughts of retiring from international football just yet.

"I want to play and I believe I should play. But if I don't get picked I'm not going to act the superstar," he added.

Respect

"I respect the manager has to make the decision and if it gets to the stage where I'm not playing, I might ask about it, but I won't cause a problem."

Lampard also dismissed suggestions that players do not give their all when wearing the England shirt.

"People say England players don't care - believe me we care.

"We hate the fact that we look around the dressing room and see all these great players - Steven Gerrard, John Terry, Wayne Rooney - and we're not winning or playing as fluently as we should.

"But with England there is always light at the end of the tunnel because if you win something that is you for life - part of history. That is what drives you on."