England midfielder Frank Lampard has backed manager Fabio Capello to make the right choice between starting Jermain Defoe or Emile Heskey in the World Cup qualifier against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.
Defoe came off the bench to score what proved to be the winner as England warmed up for the Croatia clash with a 2-1 home win in a friendly with Slovenia on Saturday.
"The question of starting is obviously the manager's decision," Lampard said. "He has shown in his career he makes the right decision more often that not."
Lampard praised both Defoe and Heskey for the different qualities they bring to the England set-up
"Jermain is making headlines as he's scoring goals," said Lampard.
"Emile has made a great case because of the way he has played for England for a long time."
Lampard admitted the penalty he scored against Slovenia, awarded when Wayne Rooney clashed with defender Bostjan Cesar, probably should not have been given.
The England midfielder defended Rooney who had been accused by some of diving to earn the spot kick.
Lampard said: "I think maybe it wasn't a penalty. I think it was clearly not a dive but probably not a penalty."
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Couldn't have said it better myself Terence.
Lampard is right in backing Capello's decision. He is after all, the manager. Heskey is a far more creative player and a danger to opposing defenses. Alright, Defoe has scored a few times for England but nothing spectacular. This is a team game, and at the moment, Defoe coming on as a substitute when defenses are flagging is the ideal situation.
Peter Crunch!!
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