Youngsters impress Lampard

Frank Lampard: Has been impressed by Tom Cleverley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Frank Lampard believes England have found the right blend between youth and experience, with the next generation of talent already proving their worth.

The Three Lions continue to lean heavily on seasoned professionals, with the likes of Lampard, Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Ashley Cole as important now as they have ever been.

England are, however, attempting to ease youngsters into the fold, with Roy Hodgson aware of the need to plan with one eye on the future.

Tom Cleverley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are among those to have made the most of the senior opportunities afforded them so far, and Lampard is of the opinion that England now have the ideal mix within their starting XI.

Ahead of Tuesday's 2014 World Cup qualifier with Ukraine, he told Sky Sports News HD: "I think so. I hope so. We need to show that. It's a long campaign and we need to win our games and make sure we are going to the World Cup.

"It feels like a nice blend, on and off the pitch. We have a few older lads who have the experience of playing in qualifying games and the Euros and the young boys bring a real freshness and quality.

"We all saw the impact of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Cleverley the other day (in a 5-0 victory over Moldova) and I think there is more to come."

Ability

"I think it adds to the team and if we can get the mix right and continue to win games, the boys will only develop."
Frank Lampard Quotes of the week

Arsenal midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain was playing League One football two years ago, having burst onto the scene at Southampton, but the 19-year-old is now an important figure for club and country.

Lampard said: "His pace, his ability on the ball, you can see the confidence he has got.

"It's not easy to step into an England team and play like he did at the Euros and the other night. That's great to see and I think it makes us all smile, whether you are playing or you're an England fan, to see a young boy come in and play with that about him."

Cleverley has also made rapid progress in recent years, with the 23-year-old having forced his way into the first-team picture at Manchester United and turned out internationally for England and Team GB.

On the highly-rated playmaker's potential, Lampard said: "We hope we can give them some words as an older player, but at the same time it's great to see a player with technical ability come in with confidence, with youthfulness about them.

"I think it adds to the team and if we can get the mix right and continue to win games, the boys will only develop."