Frank Lampard sends message to Wayne Rooney as England legends prepare for Boxing Day clash

Yesterday at 06:39 PM

Frank Lampard is relishing the prospect of a Boxing Day clash with his former England team-mate Wayne Rooney as Coventry City prepare to face Plymouth Argyle.

Rooney’s Plymouth, sitting rock bottom in the Championship, travel to the Midlands on Thursday to take on Lampard’s Coventry.

Plymouth are staring down the barrel of relegation to League One, having won just four of their 21 league games this season

Rooney’s team have conceded a whopping 45 goals in that period and have not tasted victory since early November.

Coventry, meanwhile, are 17th in the Championship going into Christmas, six points above the relegation zone and a fanciful 11 points outside the play-off places.

‘I have known Wayne well for many years now, have full respect for him, and I look forward to seeing him,’ said Lampard, who took over Coventry last month.

‘It was an absolute pleasure to play with him for England – and to play against him.

‘He was a Premier League and England great, and his numbers and performances should never be understated. The level of player he was, was incredible.

‘To see the work ethic behind it that he had as a player and see the impact he had on team-mates, being at camps with him where you see what the person is as well as the player, he is amazing.

‘You look at the weekend and they trade with Middlesbrough who are a really good team, and they draw 3-3 and possibly feel like they might have won the game.

‘We have to respect them and give our best and have our confidence because we’re at home and we are a good team, and we need to show it.’

Lampard also wants to see a response from his Coventry players after they suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Portsmouth last time out.

‘When you find a hard moment and you don’t compete, then the result will look after itself,’ the Chelsea legend added.

‘Heads were dropping in the second half and they now have to realise that can’t be the way. We can lose a game of football but you can’t lose the confidence and the desire to do something about it.

‘They were too aggressive for us in the second half and we weren’t aggressive enough, and when you get that wrong in the Championship then you lose.’

Rooney, meanwhile, said in an interview with BBC Radio Devon: ‘I played with him for a long time with England, so I’m good friends with Frank.

‘It’s the first time coming up against Frank as a coach, so I’m looking forward to it.’

Rooney is Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer and held that tag for England before Harry Kane surpassed him in March 2023.

The ex-forward lifted five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his 13-year spell at Old Trafford.

Plymouth is Rooney’s fourth managerial job following spells at Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City.

Lampard also managed Derby before having spells in charge of his former club Chelsea and fellow Premier League side Everton.

During his playing days, Lampard won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.