English Lampard out of Brazil friendly for injury

English Lampard out of Brazil friendly for injury

England's John Terry (L) and Frank Lampard smile during a team training session in London Colney, north of London November 10, 2009. England are due to play Brazil in an international friendly soccer match in Qatar on Saturday.

LONDON, Nov. 13 -- Chelsea's midfielder Frank Lampard injured his left thigh while training with the England team and is surely to miss the friendly against Brazil on Saturday.

The 31-year-old probably need three weeks to recover, said the Premier League club here on Friday.

Lampard flew to Doha, Qatar Wednesday morning with "the three lions" to prepare for the friendly.

An FA spokesman said on Thursday: "We can confirm that Frank Lampard picked up an injury to his thigh whilst training today and will be returning home this evening. There will be no further call-ups to the squad."

Then Chelsea confirmed the news Friday by posting a statement on it's official website to saying that "the midfielder reported back at Cobham this morning (Friday) having flown back from the Middle East. The Chelsea medical department's initial impression is that he may take approximately three weeks to recover".

England tied 1-1 in their last match against Brazil at the opening of the new Wembley Stadium in June 2007.

This time, England will play without veteran midfielder David Beckham who is on club duty and a half-fit Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was not called out by manager Fabio Capello.
(Xinhua)