Chelsea’s Lampard to miss Brazil friendly

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will miss England’s international friendly with Brazil in Qatar this weekend.

The 31-year old has a thigh injury that requires treatment and he will return to England, leaving Fabio Capello with a gaping hole in his midfield for arguably his biggest test yet as England manager.

Lampard’s partner in crime in the centre of the pitch for the Three Lions, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, did not make the trip to Doha for the clash as he is recovering from a niggling groin injury.