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Frank Lampard is keen on a Rio send-off after England landmark
FRANK LAMPARD, poised to join England’s centurion club tomorrow, is desperate to extend what could be his final season as an international all the way to the World Cup in Brazil.
The midfielder is set to become the eighth player to win 100 caps as he prepares for the pivotal qualifier against Ukraine in Kiev.
England top Group H, but know a defeat in the Olympic Stadium would push them towards the lottery of the play-offs.
“Realistically, I think for England [this will be my last campaign],” he said.
“I would love us to get there because it prolongs the year and it would be great to go out there. But I don’t want to say I will retire after that. I have never wanted to say it and, the minute I do, it is there waiting to happen.
“Realistically, the young players are coming through. At 36, not too many players play on until that age.”
Lampard remains motivated by the memory of missing out on Euro 2008, and added: “It was horrible. It was a duck-your-head moment as players – we all felt that.
“I don’t want that to come around next summer either because I want to be part of those things.”