Lamps, Bertrand ruled out of Poland clash

England suffered a double blow ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Poland after Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Ryan Bertrand were ruled out of the trip to Warsaw

Lampard, who has a knee injury, and Bertrand, sidelined by a throat infection, missed Friday's 5-0 victory over San Marino, but England manager Roy Hodgson was hopeful they would recover in time for the Poland clash.

But, after reporting to England's training camp yesterday, to be assessed by the medical team, it was decided that neither would be able to take part.

"Frank Lampard and Ryan Bertrand have been ruled out of England's FIFA World Cup qualifier with Poland," read a Football Association statement.

"Lampard (calf) and Bertrand (illness) did not take part in England's 5-0 win over San Marino, and will not be ready for Tuesday's game. Roy Hodgson and his squad of 23 players travel to Warsaw today.

Lampard and Bertrand were sidelined less than 24 hours after it was confirmed Theo Walcott was ruled out of the Warsaw showdown after sustaining a chest injury in a heavy challenge with San Marino's goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini.
- AFP