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Monday, 24 March 2008, 15:28 GMT

Lampard & Rooney fit for England

Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney France v England
Date: Wednesday, 26 March
Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Venue: Stade de France
BBC Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website

Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney both trained with the rest of the England squad on Monday ahead of Wednesday's friendly against France.

Lampard suffered a knock to his hip in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday, but looked to be moving freely during the session at London Colney.

Rooney also played a full role despite fears he had picked up a knee injury in Manchester United's win over Liverpool.

All 23 players turned out for training, including former captain David Beckham.

The players had to contend with snowy conditions at Arsenal's Hertfordshire training base, but Beckham - who is hoping to win his 100th cap at the Stade de France - was all smiles on his recall to the squad.

The news about Lampard and Rooney will come as a welcome relief to England coach Fabio Capello.

He voiced his concerns about the timing of Sunday's meeting of the top four sides, coming so close to England's trip to Paris.

"I'm not ecstatic, not happy about it," said Capello.

Robert Green

Capello has already been forced into changes and called up West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green on Sunday after Wigan's Chris Kirkland was ruled out through injury.

The squad was reduced from 30 to 23 on Saturday, with Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson coming in for the injured Scott Carson.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Shaun Wright-Phillips, David Wheater and Jermain Defoe were all cut from the squad, while Matthew Upson was withdrawn because of injury.

Capello also justified his decision to bring Beckham back into the squad, having left him out against Switzerland.

"In the previous match I did not call him up because he was not fit having not played any games. He is now fit," Capello told the FA's website.

"When David is fit he can always bring an important contribution because of his vision on the pitch and the fact he can cross the ball and always create chances. Not only from free-kicks.

"Good players are good players whether they play in America, England or in Spain"
England coach Fabio Capello

"It's not my style to call someone up to do them a favour. I will call players in that I believe are useful to the team and with a view on future games and what I need to do in the future.

"I called him up because I believe he is going to be useful to the team.

"Good players are good players whether they play in America, England or in Spain."

Chelsea's John Terry, who was England captain under Steve McClaren and is a leading candidate to get the full-time role under Capello, has backed Beckham to take the job on Wednesday.

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What do you think of the squad?

"David is a credit to himself and what he has done is exceptional," Terry told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek.

"If he is going to start or come on, he fully deserves to wear that England armband.

"I am very nervous about joining up with the squad and certainly don't expect to be captain.

"I wish to continue as England captain and fingers crossed I can do that but if not I will respect Mr Capello's decision."

France coach Raymond Domenech has called on a squad of 39 players to cover the England match, as well as an 'A' team fixture against Mali on Tuesday.

He will be without former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who withdrew after Barcelona's 4-1 defeat of Real Valladolid on Sunday.

Patrick Vieira has also pulled out, with a sore thigh muscle.

Meanwhile, Juventus striker David Trezeguet has been called into the France squad.


England squad:

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), Robert Green (West Ham)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Joleon Lescott (Everton), John Terry (Chelsea), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (AstonVilla), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)

Forwards: Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

France squad:

Goalkeepers: Gregory Coupet (Lyon), Mickael Landreau (PSG), Hugo Lloris (Nice), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Lyon), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Francois Clerc (Lyon), Mathieu Delpierre (Stuttgart), Julien Escude (Seville), Patrice Evra (Manr Utd), William Gallas (Arsenal), Gael Givet (Marseille), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Adil Rami (Lille), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Sebastien Squillaci (Lyon), Lilian Thuram (Barcelona)

Midfielders: Mathieu Bodmer (Lyon), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Samir Nasri (Marseille), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Jerome Rothen (PSG),

Strikers: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Hatem Ben Arfa (Lyon), David Trezeguet (Juventus), Jimmy Briand (Rennes), Djibril Cisse (Marseille), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Louis Saha (Man Utd), Loic Remy (Lens)



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Related to this story:

Ferdinand named England captain (25 Mar 08 |  Internationals )
Beckham seeks more than 100 caps (24 Mar 08 |  Internationals )
England to play USA and Czech Rep (21 Mar 08 |  Internationals )
Beckham's England career in photos (20 Mar 08 |  Football )
Beckham aims to convince England (16 Mar 08 |  Internationals )
Owen fearful of England omission (10 Mar 08 |  Newcastle United )
Capello buoyed by England promise (07 Feb 08 |  Internationals )
England 2-1 Switzerland (06 Feb 08 |  Internationals )

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