LONDON: Roy Hodgson’s worst fears were confirmed today when Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard was been ruled out of England’s Euro 2012 campaign with a a thigh injury suffered in training on Wednesday.

A scan confirmed the extent of the damage and the 33-year-old will join Manchester City’s Gareth Barry in staying home. Barry suffered a stomach injury in Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win over Norway in Oslo.

Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson will be called into the England squad once Hodgson receives  clearance from UEFA which is needed because Lampard was  injured after Tuesday’s squad submission deadline.

Lampard was only in his second day of training, having joined England late with his other Chelsea team-mates after the Champions League victory over Bayern in Munich on May 19.

Manager Hodgson said: “It’s a huge blow for the team, especially coming after the loss of another senior player in Gareth Barry. The fact that the doctor cannot guarantee Frank could take part in any of the group matches means we have to replace him in the central midfield area.

“Apart from it being a huge blow to me and the team, I’m especially disappointed for Frank himself. He has been in very good form and was looking forward to the tournament. He made a huge contribution towards us qualifying for the Euros so it is cruel to be forced out through injury just before the tournament.”

England play Belgium at Wembley on Saturday in their last warm-up game.

A possible consolation for Lampard is that missing Euro 2012 puts him in contention to be one of Britain;s three over-age players for the Olympic Games football tournament at London 2012.

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