Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard insists Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey is not to blame for Rio Ferdinand's World Cup ending injury.

Ferdinand has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury sustained in a training-ground clash with Heskey on Friday.

The Manchester United defender will fly home in the next 48 hours if fears he needs surgery are confirmed.

But Lampard said: "It's ridiculous if people start blaming Emile. It was a twist. There was no fault on Emile's part.

"I spoke to Rio and he was just pleased no-one else was involved or it wasn't anyone else's fault because he'd have hated that."