Gerrard and Lampard to miss Germany friendly

England midfield duo Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were both ruled out Monday from Wednesday’s friendly international away to Germany in Berlin because of injuries they both suffered last weekend.

Gerrard, who had been ruled out by his club following a groin injury sustained in Liverpool’s victory over Bolton, reported to England’s training camp on Sunday.

He was examined there by the medical staff of the Football Association (FA), who confirmed Liverpool’s diagnosis.

Scans on Chelsea star Lampard revealed he would not be fit to play after suffering a rib injury in the win over West Brom.

England manager Fabio Capello called up Fulham’s Jimmy Bullard and West Ham’s Scott Parker as replacements for his frontline midfielders.

John Terry, a Chelsea team-mate of Lampard’s, is expected to play after the centre-half came through a full training session on Monday without exacerbating a foot injury.

Meanwhile Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said it was uncertain if Gerrard would be fit for the Champions League group game at home to French side Marseille a week on Wednesday.

“We had to do a scan after the Bolton game because Steven said he had some pain in his groin,” Benitez explained. “It is not a massive problem and we hope he will be ready to return in seven to 10 days.”

England manager Fabio Capello had already made changes to his squad, recalling Paul Robinson after goalkeeper Joe Hart was ruled out with an ankle injury sustained in Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Hull on Sunday.

Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney, both England regulars, were not even considered by Capello after missing last weekend’s 5-0 win over Stoke with back and calf problems respectively.

And that leaves the Italian with potentially only three first-team players in goalkeeper David James, Terry and winger Theo Walcott for the match at the Olympic Stadium.