Rooney to captain England as Lampard ruled out

Manager Roy Hodgson (R) and captain Wayne Rooney attend a media
 conference at the team's hotel in Watford, north of London October 11, 2012

(Reuters) - Wayne Rooney will be given the opportunity to captain England for the first time in a competitive international in their World Cup qualifier against San Marino after Frank Lampard was ruled out of the match through injury.

England face the European minnows at Wembley on Friday, four days before a sterner test against Poland in Warsaw.

Rooney, who has 76 caps for England and missed the opening two Group H matches after suffering a nasty cut playing for Manchester United, captained his country in a friendly against Brazil three years ago.

"I enjoy working with Wayne, we had a good Euros," manager Roy Hodgson told reporters on Thursday.


Vice-captain Lampard had been in line to lead out the team on Friday in the absence of usual captain Steven Gerrard who is suspended for the match.

"Frank had a scan earlier in the week. He tried to train apart from the team on Wednesday morning and he still felt a problem with his calf. There has been a slight tear.

"It's not a major problem but the best thing is for him to go back to his club and receive treatment on a daily basis. We will reassess the situation on Sunday."

Lampard's Chelsea team mate Ryan Bertrand has also pulled out of the squad for Friday's match through illness.