Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

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Chelsea reject Lampard claim

30 Mar 2007 - 15:56:42

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Chelsea have rejected claims that Frank Lampard was dropped for England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra on Wednesday.

The England midfielder will play in Saturday's Premiership fixture with Watford in a lightweight plaster cast, after fracturing a bone in his wrist during the build-up to the Andorra game.

Lampard was left out of the squad by England head coach Steve McClaren which led to suggestions he had been dropped.

But Chelsea number two Steve Clarke has backed the Football Association's stance that Lampard was left out of the 3-0 victory due to fitness concerns.

"Frank is good. He has trained the last couple of days with a cast on and he is much more comfortable with the injury. He will play against Watford," confirmed Jose Mourinho's assistant.

Clarke has also refuted suggestions circulated in the media that Lampard was refused permission to fly home from England duty to allow the Blues medical staff to assess his injured wrist.

He added: "The boy was injured and he couldn't play in the match. The decision was taken not to play him, not to risk him against Andorra.

"He was happy with that decision and he is happy to be back here at Chelsea.

"His return was never an issue. We didn't ask for him to come back and he never asked to come back.

"He stayed with the England squad to support the team and that is the end of the matter."