Lampard tips England glory

12 April 2012

Frank Lampard is confident England can still top their European Championship qualifying group and is backing them to win all five of their remaining matches.

The Chelsea midfielder insists the hiccups from earlier in the campaign are behind Steve McClaren's side, who triumphed 3-0 in Estonia on Wednesday.

Lampard said: "We are very confident. We know we've had a few hiccups and there is always the occasional hiccup in a qualifying group. We are playing with confidence at the moment. We've always thought we could win the group, if we win all our remaining games. I believe we will do that."

And Lampard also believes the return to fitness of Joe Cole, who scored a superb goal in Tallinn, after his long-term foot problem can make a big difference to England's chances.

He added: "It's important we keep going, have a good summer off and then make sure we qualify. We've got to look at it in simple ways. We have four home games out of five. Playing the way we are playing, we feel we can win all of them and that gets us to the Euro finals."

Cole is approaching full fitness and his swift turn and half-volley past Estonia goalkeeper Mart Poom for the opening goal was a typically opportunist finish.

Lampard said: "It was great individual skill for the goal and Joe has got that. You need players in your team that can turn games with a moment of brilliance.

"He has done it for Chelsea many times and he has done it for England. He has had a very difficult season with injury and that goal for Joe was a reward for all the hard work because he has worked so hard behind the scenes to get fit and on every element of his game."

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