Lampard strikes back at England doubters

MANCHESTER, England, Jun 2: Midfielder Frank Lampard has hit back at critics of England's recent tactical changes as they prepare for Saturday's World Cup warm-up against Jamaica.

The tactics of England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson have been in the spotlight after he deployed midfielder Steven Gerrard as a replacement for injured striker Wayne Rooney in Tuesday's 3-1 friendly win over Hungary.

Defender Jamie Carragher was used in the equally unfamiliar role of a holding midfielder, prompting media speculation that England's plans were still not settled on the eve of the finals in Germany.

Lampard rejected the accusations, telling reporters: ''I think it worked on Tuesday. You can't go into the World Cup unless you try out options not only in training but in games.

''We've played with a flat 4-4-2 and with a holding player. I think the public, the fans would want to see those different options...I don't think you can criticise.

''Hopefully we will use the right ones and perform well when it matters.'' With England facing Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden in Group B, Lampard said: ''There are different systems for different games.

''People are trying to say that all of a sudden we've changed our system a week or two before the World Cup. I don't think we have.

We're experimenting with a couple of options that we've got.

''You'd be a fool to not do that because you know at times you'll have to play in a different way.'' Against Jamaica, Eriksson may well revert to a more conventional replacement for Rooney, whose World Cup fate will be decided by a scan on his broken foot on June 7.

Towering striker Peter Crouch came on as a substitute against Hungary to score England's third goal and has often been identified by Eriksson as an ideal partner for Michael Owen.

Crouch is particularly anxious to get another chance on Saturday as part of his campaign to convince Eriksson that he can lead the line for England in Gemany.

NO SULKING One player who may not be ready on Saturday is right back Gary Neville, who came off at halftime on Tuesday with a hamstring problem and missed training yesterday.

His place would probably go to utility player Carragher.

Jamaica go into the game in far from ideal circumstances having just lost to 4-1 Ghana and had striker Marlon King sent home after refusing to apologise for breaking a squad curfew.

Two of King's team mates Jason Euell and Jamal Campbell-Ryce have also been fined 50 percent of their match fees.

Probable teams England: Paul Robinson; Gary Neville or Jamie Carragher, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole; David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole; Peter Crouch, Michael Owen Jamaica: Donovan Ricketts; Claude Davis, Damion Stewart, Garfield Reid, Omar Daley; Khari Stephenson, Jason Euell, Jermaine Hue, Jamal Campbell-Ryce; Ricardo Johnson, Teofore Bennett Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)

Reuters