Lampard: I feared the axe against Wales

Frank Lampard has accepted that he will no longer be an automatic choice for England following the emergence of Jack Wilshere and the performance of Scott Parker against Wales.

Lampard started against Wales in Cardiff, scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot, but there had been speculation that he would be left on the bench in favour of Manchester City's James Milner.

The Chelsea star, who skippered the side in Denmark last month, is well aware that he may not be a fixture in the side in the future, especially when Steven Gerrard is available again.

Lampard, who turns 33 in June, said of the speculation about his role at the Millennium Stadium: "With England, that happens. I've been around a long time and been lucky enough to be very regular, and I tried not to let it concern me.

"We don't get the papers in there but I was aware of the talk. It's a good squad, a strong squad, and never for any minute should any player be resting on their laurels about getting picked. That's it.

"I'm 32 now and have been around a long time. So it wasn't a sleepless night. I obviously want to play and contribute, so I tried to work hard in training and try and give my best all the time."

Lampard praised the performance of his midfield partners in Wales.

"Scott [Parker] carried on doing what he does for West Ham," Lampard said. "He's been fantastic at that all season and the benefit of having an extra man in midfield showed itself.

"The three of us in there, particularly in the first half, allowed us to really get a grip of the game. I think it's nice. It allows you to get a bit more forward. It allows you to get tighter in midfield and, you know, sometimes it's not that easy.

"We played Denmark in a friendly and, sometimes, when there are people behind you, you can't always commit to getting tight to their deep-lying midfield players. There was the bonus today of having the extra man in there to allow us to push in tight.

"We won that game early with our performance. We had a plan to press up high, win the ball back quickly and not let them play, and that worked completely. They couldn't get out of their own half much, especially in the first half an hour, and that's where the game was won: being 2-0 up from there.

"The atmosphere was brilliant. They wanted to use that atmosphere to inspire their players and, when you've got that behind you, it does inspire. But, as the team coming here, you have to let it inspire you too.

"We had to win this and it was a game that, on paper, we should have won even if it was not going to be easy. We did it. With Switzerland coming up, if we can win that game as well, we'll put ourselves in a strong position."

Meanwhile, John Terry praised new central defensive partner Michael Dawson, who he believes fully deserves his chance in international football.

But Terry feels the centre-half has reaped the benefits of playing Champions League football after recovering from his injury setbacks.

Terry said: "There is a lot of competition at centre-back but Michael has made the position his own really. In the Champions League he has been really good for Tottenham this season and maybe that is the key for him as well.

"Playing in the big competitions against the big players can only help anyone as a player. Michael has certainly done well in the last couple of games for England.

"There were some real positives to come out of it again. Ashley Young, I thought again was superb, Scott Parker and young Jack Wilshere also did well."

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Wales assistant to keep tweeting

Raymond Verheijen says he has taught the British media a lessonWales assistant boss Raymond Verheijen says he will continue to speak his mind on microblogging website Twitter.

The Dutchman hit out at "incompetent amateurs" over the reporting of Gareth Bale's injury in the build-up to Wales' 2-0 defeat by England on Saturday.

Manager Gary Speed said Verheijen's post - initially interpreted as a dig at Bale's club Tottenham Hotspur - caused an "unnecessary problem".

But Verheijen said: "It didn't concern me, it made me smile."

He said he reacted "quickly" with his tweet to address the report over Bale to ensure the Wales camp were not seen as "pushovers".

But he insisted no ban had been placed on him using Twitter and argued his honesty and sometimes outspoken views should be applauded.

"When I took this job with Wales everybody around me warned me about the British media but that's part of the job," he added.

"I'll keep tweeting and what you do is your decision.

"If you give an interview or you tweet, you either speak your mind or you don't do it at all.

"If all you produce is clichés then you might as well not give an interview. You have to give your views and information or not speak at all."

If you want to be successful and are ambitious then one thing you have to make sure is that people don't think you are a pushover

Verheijen's first tweet on the Bale story appeared at about 0800 GMT on Thursday, stating: "This morning there there will be an official statement by [Wales manager] Gary Speed about the situation with Gareth Bale. The incompetent amateurs struck again!"

This was followed shortly afterwards by: "Funny to read about Gareth Bale injuring his hamstring in training yesterday.... as he did not train at all yesterday."

A few hours later, Verheijen posted: "Just spoken with people of Spurs as they thought 'incompetent amateurs' had something to do with them. Promised them to put it on Twitter."

He then went on to blame the media, saying the breaking news about Bale's injury had made the Football Association of Wales look like a "bunch of amateurs" and the "incompetent amateurs" are the people who put in the news that Gareth Bale got injured in training with Wales while he did not train at all."

But Verheijen defended his actions, saying: "I had to react quickly.

"I woke up and saw about Gareth Bale getting injured on Wednesday but he didn't train on Wednesday so I was really surprised how this could be in the media.

"This was a way of doing [dealing with] it. Depending on the situation, you may choose this solution if you really want to act quickly and make an impact or sometimes you do it in a different way.

"It's also part of the learning process, no matter if you're a big or small country, if you want to be successful and are ambitious then one thing you have to make sure is that people don't think you are a pushover.

"If I was bothered about the British media I wouldn't have taken this job. That's part of the job. You can take it very, very seriously or you can laugh about it. In a way it's also funny.

Verheijen, appointed by Speed to join the Wales coaching set-up in February, added: "This is also a lesson for the media because you guys also have to do a job and nine out of 10 times you interview someone, he's either producing clichés or non-information which is frustrating and then all of a sudden someone speaks his mind and then it's used against you.

"It is a signal for the media if me or someone else speaks his mind, appreciating that might also be an option. You must be able in football to give your opinion."

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Wales 0-2 England

England manager Capello had endured a torrid week in the media over his handling of John Terry's reinstatement as captain and defeat at the Millennium Stadium would have seen the pressure increase considerably. Yet that seemed unlikely from the moment Lampard struck with a seventh-minute penalty and Bent doubled the advantage with a typical close-range finish eight minutes later.

Wales, having been overpowered in the first half, restored pride with a competitive display after the break but Gary Speed could not be spared defeat in his first home international as manager. The only major downside for England, who move to the top of Group G, was a booking for Wayne Rooney which will keep him out of the next qualifier against Switzerland in June.

England were rarely extended in the first period with the outstanding Ashley Young, playing alongside Rooney behind Bent, at the heart of all their good work. Scott Parker, winning his first cap for four and a half years, was composed in front of the back four and Jack Wilshere, making his first competitive start, looked a natural fit in midfield.

Terry, although largely untested, did not put a foot wrong as he captained the team for the first time in 17 months. Despite Wales' hopeless plight at the bottom of the group, the hosts had relished the build-up to the encounter with Speed assembling one of the country's strongest squads for some time.

His plans suffered a setback when the dangerous Gareth Bale was forced to withdraw earlier in the week but home passion was clearly in evidence in the opening stages. Craig Bellamy was his usual fired-up self and stood his ground when confronted by Rooney after catching the England striker.

Aaron Ramsey, becoming Wales' youngest-ever captain on his return to the side from a broken leg, was also keen to get into the action and a strong early surge offered encouragement. That optimism was immediately punctured, however, as England went ahead from the spot.

A slip by James Collins allowed Terry to slip in Young and the Wales defender clumsily brought down his Aston Villa team-mate as he tried to recover. Lampard coolly sent Wayne Hennessey the wrong way and England went on to dominate the first half with ease. Ashley Cole had a shot blocked by Ashley Williams before the visitors doubled their lead on 15 minutes after more good work by Young.

Glen Johnson sent Young racing clear down the right and his cross was clinically dispatched by Bent six yards out. Hennessey then had to deal with a dangerous Young cross as England threatened again and Rooney picked out Bent with a superb 60-yard ball only for the striker to head wide. Ramsey looked full of energy as he tried to haul Wales back into contention but was perhaps trying too hard to impress and was often left frustrated.

Wales did get the ball into the box when Bellamy lofted in a free-kick but Joe Hart punched clear under pressure from Steve Morison. Rooney was caught in midfield by Andrew Crofts and moments later was booked for a bad challenge on Joe Ledley, an indiscretion that rules him out of the next game. Young went close with a dipping effort after spotting Hennessey off his line but the ball dropped over the bar.

At the other end Bellamy almost played in Andy King but Cole made a timely interception. Morison also broke into the area after turning Michael Dawson but his cross was cleared. Wales looked a different side after the break but were almost caught out when a poor clearance by Hennessey allowed Young to cross but Rooney was unable to make contact.

Bellamy sent King clear with a fine through ball but the Leicester midfielder blasted wide. A chance opened up for English-born Morison but the Millwall striker's control let him down as he looked for his first international goal. Ramsey then showed neat footwork on the edge of the area but was unable to keep his shot on target.

Lampard shot over for England but the visitors had clearly eased off. The introduction of David Vaughan and Ched Evans for Wales failed to bring about a breakthrough and England played out time as the game became scrappy. Stewart Downing, a late replacement for Wilshere, shot narrowly wide after a fine run in the 90th minute.

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England cruise to win over Wales

England cruised to a comfortable victory against Wales in Cardiff as their campaign to reach Euro 2012 stayed on course at the Millennium Stadium.

Fabio Capello's side silenced the passionate home support with two goals inside the first 14 minutes - and those early blows were always too much for Wales as they slumped to their fourth successive defeat in qualifying to remain without a point.

New manager Gary Speed had the scale of the task facing him illustrated by the gulf in quality between the sides, especially after he was stripped of Tottenham's Gareth Bale through injury in the build-up.

Frank Lampard put England ahead with a penalty after only seven minutes following James Collins' rash foul on Aston Villa team-mate Ashley Young and Wales were soon in even more trouble as Darren Bent swiftly added a second.

Glen Johnson released Young on the right flank and his inviting delivery offered Bent an open invitation to score his third goal in successive games for England, further evidence that he is adapting to international football.

The only blot on England's day came with a yellow card for Wayne Rooney that rules him out of the qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley in June.

But Capello will be delighted that his players delivered a performance that will finally turn the spotlight away from the saga of John Terry's restoration to the captaincy ahead of Rio Ferdinand.

Wales lacked a cutting edge without the thrust of Bale and a shortage of service meant Craig Bellamy was unable to exert any influence or pressure on England's defence.

There was a revival of sorts in the second half, when Wales at least enjoyed greater possession, but England's afternoon was more comfortable than they could have expected.

It was not only the victory that would have brought Capello great satisfaction.

Terry reclaimed the captain's armband with relish, while Young delivered a man-of-the-match display to press his case for a regular place.

And in midfield, Jack Wilshere and Scott Parker enhanced their reputations by dictating terms and refusing to give Wales any sort of platform to play.

England's performance must be placed in the context of Wales' struggles but the manner of the win was impressive.

Wales, on the other hand, must now revert back to Speed's plan to build for the future as their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign draws to a desperately disappointing conclusion.

How Wales missed Bale's inspiration in a woeful first 45 minutes in which they achieved the seemingly impossible, reducing a passionate Cardiff crowd to periods of near silence.

The pre-match ceremonies were marred as Wales fans drowned out England's anthem - inevitably prompting an equally disrespectful response from the visiting supporters to the Welsh anthem.

Wales needed a fast start to build on the atmosphere but England were gifted the ideal opening when Collins needlessly bundled Young to the ground as he raced into the area.

The protests were in vain - and Lampard made no mistake with an emphatic spot-kick.

And England further deflated Wales when a sweeping move increased the sense of dejection by doubling their advantage seven minutes later.

Johnson's ball exposed Wales' left flank and Young provided the perfect cross for the incoming Bent to sweep a finish high past keeper Wayne Hennessey into the roof of the net.

Wales were providing little in the way of fight and resistance, usually the bare minimum in front of their own followers, although Bellamy and Ashley Cole appeared to be involved in a lengthy verbal battle that needed the intervention of Rooney to restore peace.

Rooney's own performance was patchy and he picked up a yellow card for a foul on Joe Ledley, doubly frustrating as the offence was committed in a harmless position.

Young was enjoying plenty of freedom and exploiting it to the full, almost getting on the scoresheet with a rising drive that flew narrowly over the bar.

England had barely broken sweat in the first half but Wales did find a little more of a spark after the break, only for any fleeting threat to be snuffed out by a glaring lack of quality.

The win was signed, sealed and delivered for England inside those first 14 minutes and the rest was simply a matter of completing the formalities against a disappointingly tame Wales.

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Wales v England preview

Wales will look to keep their fading Euro 2012 dreams alive when they welcome neighbours England to the Millennium Stadium.

Having opened their qualification campaign with three defeats, Gary Speed's side know they have a mountain to climb if they are to end their long wait for a place at a major tournament.

The Dragons are fast running out of time in their efforts to reach the 2012 European Championships in Ukraine and Poland, suggesting they are poised for further international heartache.

Confidence needs to be restored to a side that has tasted defeat on its last four outings, scoring only one goal in the process.

Speed will be hoping that Wales can turn the corner on Saturday, in his first competitive fixture since inheriting the national reins from John Toshack.

It could be that a meeting with England is just what the Dragons need, with a full house in Cardiff expected to generate a red-hot atmosphere.

The Three Lions will enter the game, though, knowing that they have prevailed in the last two meetings between the two nations - during qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

They have, however, alternated between victory and defeat on their last five visits to Wales and were that record to continue this weekend, they would leave with nothing.

England's recent away record suggests they are capable of bucking that trend, with a defeat in the Ukraine after they had already booked their place at the 2010 World Cup representing the only setback they have suffered on the road in their last six outings.

Goals have also been in plentiful supply for Fabio Capello's men of late, with only Montenegro and Algeria having kept them out in their last 13 fixtures.

More goals and another three points against Wales this weekend would be enough to take England to the top of Group G on goal difference, with current leaders Montenegro not in action.

Wales' build-up to the game has been dominated by contrasting fortunes for two of their most promising young stars.

News that Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has suffered a hamstring injury and will play no part on Saturday has come as a major blow to the hosts, as he was widely acknowledged as the man most capable of causing England problems.

Speed is, however, delighted to have Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey available again and has opted to hand the 20-year-old the captain's armband, making him Wales' youngest-ever skipper.

That role was up for grabs after Craig Bellamy decided to step aside, but the on-loan Cardiff striker will still be an important part of Speed's plans.

Sam Vokes, who has recently agreed a loan switch to Norwich, has replaced the injured Robert Earnshaw in the Wales squad and will be vying for a striking berth alongside the likes of Steve Morison, Simon Church and Ched Evans.

England's preparations have also generated plenty of headlines, with Capello having decided to hand John Terry the captaincy again, 13 months after the Chelsea centre-half was stripped of the honour and replaced by Rio Ferdinand.

Injuries to Manchester United defender Ferdinand and vice-captain Steven Gerrard, who will again be missing this weekend, convinced the Italian that it was time for a U-turn.

The Three Lions saw Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster withdraw from the squad on Friday with a throat infection and his place has gone to West Brom's Scott Carson.

Everton's Phil Jagielka is expected to provide cover for Ferdinand, while youngsters Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll are again pushing hard for starting berths.

Kyle Walker, currently taking in a loan spell at Aston Villa, and Wolves winger Matt Jarvis will be hoping to make their senior debuts in Cardiff.

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Jagielka expects spicy Wales game

England defender Phil Jagielka expects Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales to have extra "spice" because of the countries' traditional rivalry.

Jagielka could play alongside reinstated captain John Terry as England aim to go top in Group G.

"Both teams will be wound up from the off and the fans and the coaches will want a fast start," Jagielka said.

"There'll be a little bit of spice from the first whistle, which can hopefully only be a good thing for us."

While Jagielka conceded there are nations who "don't particularly like England", he said it was vital his team-mates retained their focus as they try to close the three-point gap to Montenegro.

"There's nothing we can do about that [nations not liking England], we've just got to go out there and do a professional job," said the Everton centre-back.

"I don't think we can afford to take a draw, we definitely have to go there for a win to get to the top of the table, three points is what we're going for.

"We're looking forward to it. When the draw came out we were delighted we got Wales because it will be a good game for the neutral and hopefully for the England fans."

Meanwhile, midfielder Gareth Barry feels the emergence of Jack Wilshere is good for England, while acknowledging the teenager could displace him in the side.

Wilshere will handle the atmosphere against Wales no problem
Former England captain Alan Shearer

With Steven Gerrard injured, Wilshere, Barry, Frank Lampard and Scott Parker will be vying to start.

Manchester City's Barry, 30, said: "I've never come to England squad and expected to be in a team and that's still the same.

"When players like Jack burst onto the scene it's extra competition.

"It's going to make selection for individuals tougher but I'm still sitting here, training hard and hopeful of being selected and if I am I'm confident I can put in a performance for my country.

"It's good for England that there are players like Jack who are bursting through and tougher for individuals to get their places."

Arsenal midfielder Wilshere started England's last game against Denmark, and Capello recently said the midfielder is one of the best young players he had seen.

Barry replaced the 19-year-old at half-time during the 2-1 victory in Switzerland, and has 45 England caps compared to Wilshere's two.

But before that game Capello was gushing in his praise for Wilshere, likening him to players such as former AC Milan greats Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi and former Real Madrid star Raul.

Barry relaxed about midfield selection

And following Arsenal's Champions League last-16 ties against Barcelona, where the Gunners lost 4-2 on aggregate, Capello re-iterated his belief in the player, predicting he would be a future England captain.

Barry agrees that Wilshere had improved rapidly.

"The more somebody is involved and the more somebody plays the more their confidence grows and that's what I've seen in Jack Wilshere this year," he said.

Former England captain Alan Shearer also believes that Wilshere has the right temperament to deal with a fierce atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

"Wilshere will handle it well," Shearer told BBC Sport. "He's played in the Nou Camp against Barcelona and at the Emirates Stadium where Arsenal beat Barca, and arguably he was the Gunners' best player on both occasions.

"So he'll handle the atmosphere against Wales no problem."

Wales are bottom of the group, having lost their first three games.

But Barry believes past form will have little bearing on the game, which is the first between the two countries since 2005, when a Joe Cole goal earned England a 1-0 victory.

"Like any derby where a team has not started well, form goes out of the window," Barry said.

"All their players are going to be pumped up desperate to beat England. It's going to make it tougher for us, especially with Wales boss Gary Speed in charge for his first qualifying game.

"He will have the players stoked up with a full house behind him so we're expecting a tough game and we will give them the respect they deserve."

Jagielka added his belief that the game will be similar to that of a Premier League match.

"Maybe the pace of the game will be a little bit quicker than we are used to on the international stage but we've got the players to deal with that," he said.

"It would have been nice for Wales to have won all their games beforehand and made it more of an even contest in some of the public's eyes - we know we're clear favourites going into the game, but unfortunately clear favourites don't always win."

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Bale ruled out for Wales

The Football Association of Wales has confirmed that Gareth Bale has pulled out of Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against England with a hamstring injury. Sky Sports News reported on Thursday morning that the 21-year-old had missed training sessions after suffering the setback in the wake of last weekend's match for Tottenham against West Ham.

Wales' fears have now been confirmed after a scan to mean that winger Bale is returning to Spurs for further assessment and will therefore miss the Group G game in Cardiff. A statement on the FAW's official website read: "Due to a hamstring problem, Gareth Bale has had to withdraw from the Wales squad to face England on Saturday.

"He felt tight last week during training with his club. After playing 90 minutes on Saturday he felt some muscle tightness. Initially, this was expected to be muscle soreness after playing his first game."

Bale's withdrawal comes as a major setback to Wales manager Gary Speed, who has inherited a team who have lost their first three matches in the current European qualifying campaign. Even if the former Sheffield United boss can guide Wales to what would be a huge shock against Fabio Capello's England at the Millennium Stadium, qualification would still appear unlikely.

But Bale's injury does not come as a great surprise, because it is not the first time his blossoming career has been hampered by injuries and he has only recently returned to the Tottenham team from a back problem. The former Southampton player's youth career was heavily disrupted by a number of frustrating muscular problems related to the speed of his growth in his teenage years.

Bale was almost released by Southampton due to his repeated injuries and his playing days were also almost ended by a fractured bone in one of his feet shortly after he joined Tottenham.

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Wales can beat England, says Bale

2012 European Championship qualifying Group G - Wales v England
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday, 26 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Full coverage on BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & online, live text commentary online and score updates on BBC Sport website. Live on Sky Sports 1

Bale quietly confident ahead of England clash

Wales defender Gareth Bale believes his side can cause an upset against England in the Euro 2012 qualifier at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Wales are currently bottom of Group G having lost their opening three matches of the campaign.

But Tottenham's Bale says that with Gary Speed now manager, Wales can shock Fabio Capello's side.

"We're quietly confident in the camp that we've got enough to pull off an upset," said Bale.

Bale has starred for a Spurs team who have caused upsets against Inter Milan and AC Milan in the Champions League this season.

And having declared himself fully fit following a recent six-week spell on the sidelines, the 21-year old is now hoping to replicate his club form against England in Cardiff.

"People might laugh at us but we fully believe that we've got some good players here and we'll be fully prepared and ready to take it to England," he added.

"I've had a bit of banter with [Jermain] Defoe and [Michael] Dawson back at the club and it will be a great game on Saturday and I'm hoping Wales will come out on top.

"A lot of us haven't played against England for the full team. It will be a great occasion and one we all want to play in.

"I definitely think it will be a great experience for us to play at the highest level and it will stand us in good stead for the future.

"Now is the time we need to start delivering and there's no better game than to beat England."

Bale is back with the Wales squad having missed the 3-0 defeat against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations Cup in February.

Wales have also been boosted by the return of Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, who has not played for his country since the 3-0 friendly win over Scotland in November 2009.

"We're still young, we're still learning and we're both improving at our clubs and we want to keep doing that," said Bale.

With a full crowd there on the weekend it will give us that extra bit of confidence and belief

"If we do then it will be good for the Welsh team."

But Bale has said that team effort, rather than relying on individuals such as Ramsey and himself, will be the key if Wales are to defeat England on Saturday.

"I don't think any player can carry the whole team and it's about the team playing well together and not individuals," said Bale.

"As long as we work as a team then I think we can go a long way."

The clash against Fabio Capello's side will be the first time in six years that Wales have sold out at the Millennium Stadium.

England were the opponents on that occasion in September 2005 with Joe Cole scoring the only goal of the game to secure a 1-0 victory in a World Cup qualifier.

And Bale is hoping that a full house at the Millennium Stadium can inspire a young Welsh side to victory.

"With a full crowd there on the weekend it will give us that extra bit of confidence and belief.

"You've seen what it used to be like five or six years ago with all the fans there.

"I was one of them fans at the time and it was an electric atmosphere. All the fans were with the team.

"We want to be going out to that and feeling comfortable with everybody on our side.

"Hopefully we can turn the Millennium Stadium into a fortress and if we do that we've got a great chance of qualifying, maybe not this campaign, but definitely the next one."

Wales squad to face England: W Hennessey (Wolves), B Myhill (West Brom), L Price (Crystal Palace), D Collins (Stoke City), J Collins (Aston Villa), N Eardley (Blackpool), D Gabbidon (West Ham), C Gunter (N Forest), L Nyatanga (Bristol C), N Taylor (Swansea), A Williams (Swansea), J Allen (Swansea), G Bale (Tottenham), A Crofts (Norwich), A King (Leicester), J Ledley (Celtic), A Ramsey (Arsenal), D Vaughan (Blackpool), C Bellamy (Cardiff), S Church (Reading), S Vokes (Wolves, on loan at Sheff Utd), C Evans (Sheff Utd), F Eastwood (Coventry), S Morison (Millwall), H Robson-Kanu (Reading).

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Ramsey eager for Wales return

Wales youngster Aaron Ramsey says "it is good to be back" ahead of the country's Euro 2012 qualifier against England, admitting his lengthy spell on the sidelines was a "frustrating time". 

Ramsey has recently returned to the Arsenal side following nine months out with a broken leg, and his encouraging form has seen him called up for Saturday's clash at the Millennium Stadium.

The 20-year-old, who has not represented his country since November 2009, is relishing the chance to return to the international fold, claiming he is nearly back to his best.

"I've been out for a while so it's good to be back among the set-up and hopefully get my opportunity to play at the weekend," he said.

"I feel like I'm nearly there, very close to where I was before my injury. I feel that I've put in a few good performances recently and hopefully I can continue that against England."

The former Cardiff City midfielder revealed how tough it had been to see his promising career come to a standstill following a tackle from Stoke's Ryan Shawcross, although he reserved special mention for his fans for helping him cope.

"I was out for nine months. It was a bit of a frustrating time for me," Ramsey told Sky Sports. "Before my injury I thought I was doing very well. I was just about to really kick on and play regularly and I felt good about myself and strong.

"Obviously when the injury happened, your career just stops and is put on hold from that moment on for a long time.

"I sort of dealt with it pretty well I thought. I had my friends and family around which took my mind off football. Another thing was a few people who have previously had injuries like mine were kind enough to ring me up as well and reassure me.

"Obviously the fans as well who sent me all their support messages, things like that helped me through the tough time I was going through."

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