England

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Lamps keeps fingers crossed

04 Dec 2009 - 08:14:41

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Midfielder Frank Lampard is hoping England can "avoid the dangerous sides and dark horses" in Friday's World Cup draw.

The Chelsea star has welcomed England's inclusion in the elite eight-team list of top seeds for the draw in Cape Town.

That means the Three Lions cannot face the likes of Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina or hosts South Africa in the group stages.

However, they could still find themselves in a difficult group alongside teams of the quality of France, Portugal, USA and Ivory Coast which is a concern to Lampard.

"There's normally one Group of Death at every World Cup draw and I bet this one will be no different," he said.

"So while it's great to be seeded we could still draw Ivory Coast and then Portugal or France.

"That would be a Group of Death for sure. That would focus the mind all right.

"All the England players' minds will be concentrated on the draw.

"There'll be the excitement of knowing who you will be facing and, hopefully, the relief of having avoided all the dangerous sides and dark horses."