Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 744 Sat. July 01, 2006  
   
Sports


Lampard, Neville will play


Frank Lampard and Gary Neville were both declared Friday and will take their places in England's starting lineup for their World Cup quarterfinal showdown with Portugal.

Chelsea midfielder Lampard twisted an ankle in training on Thursday and was reported to be an injury worry, but coach Sven Goran Eriksson said he had fully recovered.

"He's fit, 100 percent, no concerns at all. He will play," he said.

Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who has missed the last three games with a calf injury, is also fit and will play, handing the side a massive boost.

"Yes, he is okay and yes he will play," said Eriksson of Neville, who will win his 81st cap.

Earlier Friday Lampard and Neville took part in training at the Aufschalke Arena here and neither showed any indication that he was struggling.

Lampard has yet to produce his best form during the tournament, but Eriksson regards him as a key member of the England line-up especially for his goal-scoring abilities.

Voted second best player in the world this year behind Ronaldinho, Lampard has vowed to rediscover his touch in front of goal.

"The goals are just not going in for me, chances which I would normally eat up," he said after the Ecuador game during which he missed a sitter after being set up by Wayne Rooney.

"That's not unusual for a midfield player but with the standards I have set I expect to score."

Neville is another vital cog in the England team and his return will likely see Owen Hargreaves move into the holding midfield role with Michael Carrick, who performed the job against Ecuador, on the bench.