Injury casts doubt on Lampard for Euros

Veteran England midfielder Frank Lampard’s participation in Euro 2012 is in doubt.

Lampard was forced out of training on Wednesday with a thigh injury, a problem that England’s doctors will assess on Thursday before making a decision on his fitness for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has already been notified of the injury and put on standby.

“Frank Lampard has today (Wednesday) pulled up in training with a thigh injury,” the FA confirmed.

“He will have a scan and be assessed by the England medical team tomorrow (Thursday).

“Jordan Henderson has been put on standby notice as cover whilst Lampard continues to be monitored.”

Lampard, who won the Champions League with Chelsea this season, has played in every one of England’s games at international tournaments since 2002.

He was named in the the final 23-man squad for the Euros when it was submitted to UEFA on Tuesday, but players can be still be substituted before the tournament’s start as long as an independent examination from a UEFA doctor confirms that a player is too injured to play.

England are due to face Belgium at Wembley in their final friendly before the tournament begins. Their first game of the group stage is against France on June 11.

England manager Roy Hodgson has already been forced to make one late amendment to his squad, after Gareth Barry was ruled out of the tournament with a stomach tear.

Henderson had been expected to replace the Manchester City midfielder, but Hodgson opted instead to bolster his defensive ranks with the versatile Phil Jagielka.

Barry’s withdrawal came after third-choice goalkeeper John Ruddy was also forced out after breaking his finger.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/injury-casts-doubt-on-lampard-for-euros/95529/

Raul: Real & Barca best in world World Soccer Shop

Veteran striker Raul is convinced Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona would dominate the Premier League if they played in England.

Raul: Hands up if you think Real and Barca are quite good

The Primera Division has become something of a two-horse race in recent years, with Valencia the last side to lift La Liga title outside the two Spanish heavyweights in 2004.

Since then, Barcelona have triumphed on five occasions and reigning champions Real have won three times.

And such is the quality amongst their ranks, Real's all-time leading goalscorer Raul believes they would be a match for anyone.

"The problem lies not in the league," Raul told Doha Stadium Plus. "Manchester United are a great team in England, but right now Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two best teams in the world.

"It is normal then the other teams are struggling to keep up with them .

"If Real Madrid and Barcelona played in England, it would be a race of two.

"At the moment Real Madrid and Barcelona are the best. The gap could be reduced in coming years."

The 34-year-old, who left Real for Schalke in 2010 after scoring 228 goals with the Bernabeu outfit, is now with Qatar club Al Sadd.

He last played for Spain in 2006 but thinks they are on course to make history this year.

No country has retained the European Championship trophy either side of winning the World Cup, although both France and Germany have held the two trophies at the same time.

World and European champions Spain now have the chance to break that record at Euro 2012.

Raul, who scored 44 goals in 102 appearances for the national side between 1996 and 2006, acknowledges they must overcome some tough challenges in Poland and Ukraine, however.

"It will be difficult for Spain," he added. "In history, no country has won the European Championship, World Cup and Euros again.

"I want to see Spain make history, but they know they will face a major challenge, mainly from Germany, Holland and France."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17359/raul__real___barca_best_in_world

Zambrotta: MLS or Dubai my next destination

Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta has disclosed his two preferred destinations when his contract with the Rossoneri expires at the end of the season.

The veteran defender was one of a number of players who have not been offered a contract extension at San Siro, but he is, nonetheless, determined to continue his playing career.

Just like his teammates Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi, Zambrotta looks set to leave European football.

The former Italian international reveals MLS and Dubai are the most likely destinations when it comes to choosing a new club.

“I still feel like a footballer and I want to try an experience abroad,” the 35-year-old told Il Corriere dello Sport. “Where? Dubai or the United States.”

The player, who started his professional career at Como, where he spent three years before moving to Bari, has made a name for himself at Juventus, but also enjoyed spells at Barcelona and Milan.

Zambrotta has 98 Italy caps and 2 international goals to his name, and he was part of the 2006 World Cup winning squad.

The versatile defender has spent last four years at Milan, but has been nothing more than a bit-part player over the last couple of years.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/zambrotta-mls-or-dubai-my-next-destination/95082/