England 'in the zone' having put Terry, Cole negativity behind: Lampard

London, Mar 5(ANI): England mid-fielder Frank Lampard reckons he and his team-mates are "in the zone" as they prepare for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

The team were hit by John Terry losing the captaincy, lurid stories about his and Ashley Cole's private lives, the withdrawal of Wayne Bridge and injuries to Cole and Rio Ferdinand ahead of the victory over Egypt.

However, Lampard said the squad blocked out all those issues and will continue to do so between now and the summer.

"We put the negativity behind us. We showed a good togetherness and spirit on the pitch. People are concentrating on their football. We've tried to block out anything else. We're in the zone now and we have to take out the negativity because that can affect people," The Daily Express quoted Lampard, as saying.

"People can analyse things around the hotel but what's important is when you train, you train hard, and when you play, you play as a group. Against Egypt we showed, as we did throughout the qualifying campaign, that we play as a group. We have to carry on doing that to have any chance."

"I've been to a World Cup before and it was a bit of a disappointment. This time I want to enjoy it and be more of a success. We're not going around saying we will win it but, of ourse, that's the target," he added. (ANI)