Lampard expecting England to overcome absence of Welbeck

The Three Lions will face the biggest test of this World Cup qualifying campaign as they take on their Group H rivals.

Victory would put England three points clear at the summit, but defeat would more than likely leave manager Roy Hodgson’s men destined for the lottery of a play-off.

Ukraine know victory would put them on top of the group, but they will also still be smarting from the 1-0 defeat to Hodgson’s men during Euro 2012, according to Lampard.

“That win won’t help us, I don’t think, but maybe it means a bit for them to get revenge,” the Chelsea man said.

“I have already got the buzz of the game. They can be very tough. It might not be the most enjoyable of games, but it’s a big game on Tuesday night and we will give our best to get a result.”

All the talk at yesterday’s media conference surrounded Lampard’s 100th cap, which he is expected to receive tomorrow.

With Ukraine hoping to snatch top spot, and a raucous atmosphere inside the 70,000 capacity Olympic Stadium, it will, no doubt, be a night for experienced heads like those of Lampard and centurions Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole.

“The three of us need to bring that experience to the table and show that we can get the right result,” said Lampard.

“The experienced heads, and the young boys, are playing fantastically well for their clubs and have to stand up and show they can do it on the international stage. That’s what we need on Tuesday.

“We’ll go there conscious they’re a strong team but confident in our own abilities. We’ve got the team to get a result, without a doubt.”

Already shorn of Wayne Rooney, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Phil Jones, Glen Johnson and Andy Carroll through injury, manager Hodgson has been hit by another two blows over the weekend.

Danny Welbeck was ruled out of tomorrow’s game after picking up a booking for kicking the ball away in the 4-0 win against Moldova and in-form striker Daniel Sturridge then withdrew from the squad with a thigh problem.

Yet despite their injury worries, Hodgson’s men put on a good display against Moldova, with Rickie Lambert scoring once and setting up two goals.

Lampard admits losing Welbeck has hit England’s preparations, but he is sure they will be able to survive without the Manchester United forward.

“It’s a big blow. He’s started the season well and he’s a very talented player,” the former West Ham midfielder said. “I’ve enjoyed watching him for Manchester United and he scored two goals the other night, but we’ve got players who can come in and do the same job.

“With Theo Walcott, Raheem Sterling, Ashley Young and James Milner, we’ve got a lot of depth on the wings. It’s up for someone to come in and now and stand up.”

Although Ukraine will offer a much sterner test than Moldova, the way in which Lampard, Gerrard and Jack Wilshere operated in midfield against Moldova has given Hodgson reason for optimism.

Debate has raged for the last few years about Lampard and Gerrard’s supposed incompatibility, but with Arsenal man Wilshere by their side, the pair finally seem to have meshed.

“It was an honour to play with Stevie and Jack on Friday,” Lampard added.

“Obviously Ukraine are going to be a stronger team (than Moldova), but I think the midfield worked pretty well on Friday.

“Jack is a fantastic player, he is a world-class talent already and it’s always a pleasure to play with Steve so it’s nice to have a link in there.”

Thirty-five-year-old Lampard has enjoyed 14 adventurous years within the England set-up, scoring 29 times and captaining the Three Lions on five occasions.

But yesterday he could not look back on his international career without mentioning the nagging sense of disappointment that has been prevalent in every England player since the team last mounted a real challenge for a trophy in 1990.

Lampard has tasted three quarter-final defeats and one World Cup second-round exit in South Africa, and unless England pull off a series of shocks in Brazil next summer – assuming they qualify – his international career will have ended without success at a major tournament.

“There have been quite a few high points, but it’s typical of all our England careers over the last 50 years that none of us have actually gone out and won anything, so there is a frustration about that,” the Chelsea midfielder said.

Lampard made his debut way back in 1999 at the Stadium of Light where an England team containing the likes of Paul Ince, Alan Shearer and Tony Adams beat Belgium 2-1.