Hodgson Yet to Make Decision on Lampard and Cole
Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are fighting for their place in the England squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but England manager Roy Hodgson has yet to make a decision on either player. In Wednesday’s friendly match against Denmark, Ashley Cole started and played the first half but Lampard did not leave the bench even as England made a host of chances. It was likely because Hodgson knows exactly what the 35 year old midfielder can still bring to the table and the fact that he has played somewhat regularly for Chelsea. Cole on the other hand has played sparingly and has picked up an injury which will cause him to miss Saturday’s encounter with Tottenham. The leftback still impressed and made a case for himself ahead of youngster Luke Shaw.
Hodgson on Lampard and Cole’s places in the England team:
"“I played Steven Gerrard the whole game. Had I wished to spare Gerrard then of course Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick would have been the obvious choices but Steve has not a game at the weekend and he was playing so well and we had so many young players on the field, I thought he would try to keep him on. As far as I am concerned, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole are two people who are still very much in the reckoning for a place. I will have to make a decision one day.”"
Hodgson remains noncommittal on whether the two veterans will head to Brazil but he would be silly to leave either of them behind. Lampard is a fantastic professional and locker room presence while Cole offers years of experience and a great backup to current first teamer Leighton Baines. Chelsea fans will find out soon enough whether two of their favorites will be on the plane to Rio but they are surely hoping Mourinho helps their cases by giving them more regular football.
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