Lampard to play 100th England game
England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that midfielder Frank Lampard will win his 100th cap against Ukraine in the World Cup Group H qualifier on Tuesday night.
It will be another milestone in a magnificent career that has seen the 35-year-old win three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and captain Chelsea to glory in both the Champions League and Europa League.
"Lampard will play tomorrow night," Hodgson said.
"That's quite a first. I'm happy to have been part of that. All things being equal Frank will play and start the game tomorrow and win his 100th cap
"I don't think there will be many players who will play for England for two or three years let alone 14 years.
"Fourteen years is a long time to be representing your country. We don't have that many international matches so I think people who want to play 100 games for their country have to play for a team that wins major international tournaments and play for a very long time."
Lampard will play alongside two other Englishmen who have won 100 caps for their country in captain Steven Gerrard and defender Ashley Cole.
Captain Gerrard is looking forward to welcoming him to an elite club.
Gerrard and Cole will both equal Billy Wright's 105 caps against Ukraine, and the Liverpool midfielder said: "It's going to be a fantastic occasion for Frank and I'm delighted for him.
"Me and Ashley did that recently and will move on to be level with the legend in Billy Wright, and we all want to remember it for the right result. I lost on my 100th cap but hopefully it will be different for Frank."
It has been suggested that this is the last chance for the likes of Cole, Gerrard and Lampard to win a major trophy with England and the skipper intends to leave nothing on the field in Kiev.
"We're hoping to use our experience and this is our last crack at doing well at a World Cup," he said.
Gerrard also believes Wayne Rooney's absence can be overcome, adding: "He's a world-class player and any team would miss him, but we have more than enough in the squad and XI to do the job."
