Lampard: Beckham still a key man

2:56pm Monday 13th October 2008

Frank Lampard believes David Beckham can still have a major role to play for England after he equalled Bobby Charlton's tally of 106 caps against Kazakhstan at Wembley.

Beckham was only brought on for the final 10 minutes of England's 5-1 win but still had time to set up a goal for Wayne Rooney and again highlighted his ability to cross a deadly ball into the danger area.

Lampard said: "For David Beckham to equal Bobby Charlton's number of caps is fantastic. He has been tremendous for the country over so many years. To have David Beckham in the squad, whether he is starting games or not, is brilliant and the attitude he is showing when he comes on is fantastic."

He added: "He is a great asset to the squad and, when he come into the action, he brings the quality which you saw against Kazakhstan."

The Lampard and Steven Gerrard partnership again came under the microscope after they were reunited on Saturday in a three-man midfield alongside Gareth Barry.

It was Barry who was sacrificed at half-time to allow a change of formation which saw Shaun Wright-Phillips put on the left flank and Rooney pushed into a more forward role.

But Lampard insisted the bigger picture, and England collecting a third successive win, was of more importance than the debate over whether himself and Gerrard can be effective together.

He said: "We are asked 'have we silenced the doubters'? For us it doesn't really matter. Sometimes you have to put the hard work in during the first half to get results in the second half when the goals come.

"I don't think that is relative to whether we had two or three in midfield. Everyone played well, Gareth Barry played well while he was on the pitch as well.

"The issue of me and Steve again is not an issue. The issue is the team and the team came out winning 5-1."

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