John Terry has backed Frank Lampard to regain his place in the England starting XI after being dropped by Fabio Capello against Bulgaria.
England captain backs midfielder to regain first-team spot
John Terry has backed Frank Lampard to regain his place in the England starting XI after being dropped by Fabio Capello against Bulgaria.
The Three Lions skipper also rejected suggestions that some senior members of the squad had become complacent over their places in the side.
Chelsea midfielder Lampard was a shock omission from the team which took the field in Sofia on Friday night for the Euro 2012 qualifier, with Scott Parker and Gareth Barry preferred in the centre.
The 33-year-old was introduced for the final 10 minutes of the 3-0 victory in Group G and could be facing more time on the bench when England tackle Wales at Wembley on Tuesday night.
But club and country colleague Terry told a press conference shown on
Sky Sports News: "You write Frank Lampard off at your peril.
Incredible
"After the game he was disappointed about not starting, but he trained incredibly hard the day after and will continue to do that.
"He's one of the best players that I've ever played with. He is one of the best professionals I have ever played with.
"Because of his age people do tend to write him off, but he is still in excellent form at Chelsea and he has had a good start this season.
"His record for England has been incredible and so has his goal ratio."
With a number of young players forcing their way into Capello's plans this term, Terry knows that all members of the squad must be on their toes, regardless of their past records.
Never been the case
And he denied the implication that some players were only now being forced out of an international comfort zone with the emergence of some fresh faces.
He admitted: "Everyone is really fighting for places, not just Frank, we all feel we are under pressure with the younger players fighting for places.
"We all feel that in the squad at the moment. It has come in conjunction with the younger players really pushing on and playing well for their club sides and the management involving them in the squad.
"You could see the other night, Chris Smalling did very well and Gary Cahill alongside me.
"People say that we maybe took it for granted about playing in the side and maybe took the shirt for granted. I can assure you that has never been the case since I've been involved with England.
"We are all very proud to wear the England shirt and are very fortunate to do so. Frank will rise to the occasion and will be back in the England shirt very soon."
