Frank Lampard: I want to join the 100 club

 
Giuseppe Muro30 May 2013

Frank Lampard is determined to become the next member of England’s exclusive 100 club after seeing Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole reach a ­century of caps.

Lampard’s appearance in the 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland last night has left him just four games shy of becoming only the eighth England centurion.

The midfielder is set to win his 97th cap against Brazil on Sunday and has targeted staying in Roy Hodgson’s plans and reaching the milestone next season. Lampard could reach the 100-mark in a World Cup qualifier in Ukraine in September, 14 years after making his England debut.

“If I can get there and stay involved in future games then I would be a very proud man if I did reach that,” he said after watching Chelsea team-mate Cole receive a commemorative golden cap from manager Hodgson before the draw at Wembley.

“Ash certainly deserved the accolades. To get 100 caps and to play at the level he has for such a long period of time, he deserves everything. The fans gave him the right reception, he deserved the moment and the atmosphere was brilliant.

“I saw Steven get that golden cap against Sweden in November, which was well deserved, and then Ash last night. I am on 96, I have been around for an awful long time and you understand that things move on but I just want to be a part of it.”

Lampard, who turns 35 three weeks today, has 29 international goals and moved joint ninth in England’s all-time scoring list with his equaliser last night. He has scored six times in his last five internationals and said: “It has been an unbelievable season that I have had for England at the age of 34. I want to continue to be the best I can be and scoring goals.”

With Gerrard absent following shoulder surgery, Lampard will captain the team against Brazil in the Maracana.

“Sunday will be a very tough game,” he said. “I know some of the Brazilian boys at Chelsea and they certainly want to beat us. If we can go there and get a result that would be fantastic for the lads’ confidence going into the qualifiers next season.

“We are trying to work on the team and work on our attacking play. There are things we can take away from last night that we are pleased with and things that we can tighten up on.”

England will be without Daniel ­Sturridge on Sunday after the Liverpool striker limped off with an ankle injury and left Wembley on crutches. ­Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck is nursing a knee problem but will travel to Brazil.

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