Source: Team_Talk
Lampard heads England casualty list
Frank Lampard is out of England's Euro 2012 qualifying double-header - and Peter Crouch, Bobby Zamora and David Stockdale could miss out too.[LNB] Chelsea midfielder Lampard will miss the opening Group G fixtures at home to Bulgaria and away to Switzerland. Tottenham striker Crouch and Fulham duo Zamora and Stockdale are all major doubts.[LNB]With Lampard a certain pick and Crouch strongly tipped for a return to the squad after missing out on the friendly against Hungary, England manager Fabio Capello will now have to reassess his options before announcing his squad on Sunday.[LNB]Lampard limped off in the second half of Chelsea's 2-0 Premier League win against Stoke at Stamford Bridge and will undergo a hernia operation next week, keeping him out of action for around a fortnight.[LNB]Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "It is a very easy surgery but he has started to feel pain and he needs to have the operation. We have already spoken with the national team to explain the situation."[LNB]Tottenham striker Crouch, meanwhile, could miss out after sustaining a rib injury in Spurs' 1-0 defeat to Wigan.[LNB]Spurs boss Harry Redknapp fears the 29-year-old may have broken a bone, which would rule him out of Friday's match against Bulgaria and the game in Switzerland four days later.[LNB]Asked about Crouch, Redknapp said: "I think he might have done a rib; he was in agony at half-time.[LNB]"He's not sure if he's broken a rib or what he did but he was in pain."[LNB]Asked if the injury would mean Crouch will miss England's games, Redknapp added: "If he's broken a rib, he will."[LNB]There could be more bad news for Capello if Crouch's Tottenham strike partner, Jermain Defoe, is required to undergo groin surgery.[LNB]The operation, originally scheduled for this Tuesday, was put on hold after Defoe came through Wednesday's Champions League play-off second leg against Young Boys in good shape.[LNB]The 27-year-old's availability for his country could depend on how he reacts to Saturday's game.[LNB]Redknapp said: "I'm not sure - only because I haven't asked him - whether he had any reaction from the groin or whether he needs an op or not."[LNB]Fulham striker Zamora opened the scoring in his side's 2-2 draw at Blackpool - in front of Capello - before going off in the second half with a thigh injury.[LNB]Cottagers manager Mark Hughes said: "Bobby went really stiff at half-time. He thought it was just a bang on the muscle and went out again. But he could not shake it off.[LNB]"I think he must be a doubt (for England) unfortunately. He was really looking forward to getting a chance.[LNB]"I will imagine he will go and be assessed by the England medical team and we will receive the information as quickly as we can. But at the moment he looks doubtful."[LNB]Goalkeeper Stockdale, who is believed to be a candidate for England, is also likely to ruled out.[LNB]Hughes explained: "David has come in and done really well. But he has gone over on his ankle. He has got to be a doubt. It will be a real shame if he cannot stay with the group if he is picked."
