Harry Redknapp backs Frank Lampard for England
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed speculation that Frank Lampard, Redknapp's nephew, is approaching his international retirement.
Lampard, who has yet to recover from the hernia surgery he underwent before the last international break, became a regular in the England 11 at the 2004 European championships, and has 83 international
caps to his name.
In England's first Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgarian and Switzerland, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard performed convincingly in central midfield in Lampard's absence, which led to speculation that
the Chelsea midfielder may fall down the pecking order in Fabio Capello's squad once he returns.
But Redknapp, who managed Lampard at West Ham United between 1995 and 2001, said that Lampard will continue to play for England and do justice to his inclusion in the squad.
"I can't see that [Lampard would retire from international football]. I think he's a must to play for England," Redknapp told the Daily Express, citing Lampard's unfairly-disallowed goal against
Germany in the 2010 World Cup as an example of how quickly opinions of a player may turn. "He's 20-goals-a-year. He scores goals for England and even in the World Cup. If Frank's goal against Germany had been given, who knows what could have happened?" Lampard's
ball crossed the German net and should have made the score 2-2, but instead was called a save and the Germans regrouped to win 4-1.
"People change their mind from one week to the next. One week, you can be the greatest, next week, you are useless, whether you're a manager or a player."
Room for both in the middle
Lampard's presence in England's midfield has often seen the more versatile Gerrard be deployed on the left side of midfield, with Manchester City's Gareth Barry taking the remaining middle spot.
But with wingers Alan Johnson, James Milner and Theo Walcott all vying for a spot on either flank, it has been held that only one attacking midfielder can play alongside Barry in the middle of the field.
Redknapp, however, said that he would pick both Lampard and Gerrard if he were in charge of England. "I would have Frank and Gerrard in my team every day of the week."
England face Montenegro at Wembley Stadium on 12 October.
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