Hodgson has further cause for concern as Lampard pulls up injured in training

Manchester City’s Gareth Barry was forced to pull out with an abdomen injury suffered during the 1-0 win over Norway in Oslo on Saturday and was replaced by Everton defender Phil Jagielka.

Now Lampard is sweating on his fitness with the thigh problem sustained in training yesterday – just 24 hours after joining up with the squad.

Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson is on standby to replace the Chelsea player despite an up and down first campaign at Anfield.

Although Hodgson had to submit his final squad of 23 with UEFA on Tuesday, it is permitted to replace an injured player after that deadline.

Lampard is 34 next month and realistically the finals in Poland and Ukraine could be his last tournament for his country – if he is passed fit.

But to miss out will be a big blow for Lampard who made his tournament bow for his country during Euro 2004 in Portugal.

He enjoyed a renaissance at Chelsea during the final third of the season under Roberto Di Matteo after losing his regular spot under Andre Villas Boas.

Lampard helped Blues lift the Champions League for the first time 12 days ago at the expense of Bayern Munich on penalties – plus the FA Cup – to cement his place in the England squad.

The former West Ham player was keen to make an impression with his country after ceasing to become a regular part of the England side during the latter part of Fabio Capello’s reign.

Lampard has started only one of the last five internationals and looked to have slipped down the pecking order even when Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard were unavailable through injury.

But Lampard is still regarded as an important squad member and, if he is forced out, his experience will be sorely missed.

He had been given time off along with the other Chelsea players after their Champions League triumph before joining up with the remainder of the squad yesterday.

His possible absence could provide an opportunity for Henderson who has seldom been at his very best for Liverpool after his big money move from Sunderland.

But he made his only England start against France – who will be the opponents in the Euro opener on June 11 – in November 2010 at Wembley.

Gary Cahill, meanwhile, insists England should not be afraid to play backs-against-the-wall football if it gives them a better chance of winning the European Championship.

The Chelsea defender stressed he is excited by England’s attacking options, even with Wayne Rooney suspended for two matches.

But the ability to win the hard way if necessary is a vital one.

“In this sort of tournament, knock-out football, sometimes you win playing good football and sometimes you win playing backs-to-the-wall football,” said Sheffield-born Cahill.

“It truly is all about the results. It is nice to win games playing well but what I have learned in the last six months, it is also about getting the right results.

“If we did that with England this summer it would be fantastic.

“There is some great quality in this squad. There are some great players here and we should be going into the games confident.”

The recent change in manager, with Roy Hodgson taking over from Fabio Capello, seems to have dampened expectations among the public.

But Cahill, who has now started five of the last seven internationals and is expected to play in England’s pre-tournament friendly against Belgium this weekend, sees no reason why that should be the case.

“I don’t see why it should,” he said.

“It is the same players who have come in. The manager who has come in is vastly experienced in football around the world.

“I only met the gaffer twice before meeting up with England and he came across well.

“I am looking forward to working with him and his staff. We have some fantastic players and a great squad.

“And we are going in with a vastly experienced manager.

“These are going to be huge games for whoever is selected. With the Three Lions and the pride and everything that comes with it, they will be massive games.”