King won't go down on his knees

Rustenburg: England midfielder Frank Lampard has warned his teammates that discipline on the field will be a key factor for any World Cup success.

The 31-year-old newly installed vice-captain also rejected suggestions that striker Wayne Rooney might be easily provoked into hot-headed retaliation when England play the United States in their opening group C fixture on Saturday.

Rooney was sent off for retaliation, stamping on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho, in his last finals appearance in the quarter-finals four years ago.

Lampard, however, said he believed the fully committed and energetic 24-year-old striker had matured sufficiently since that dismissal to be able to rise above any deliberate attempts to prompt a red card.

"Wayne has matured a lot as a player over the last few years as we all know, so I don't see that one happening," Lampard said.

He added: "Discipline is very important now in the modern game at all levels of football, but especially at the top level whether it is, for me, playing for Chelsea or for England.

"It is so important to have 11 men on the pitch because small details are so important and when you lose a player it can change anything."

Lampard added that manager Fabio Capello had stressed the importance of concentration and focus at all times, and also asked for strong tackles and determination.

"We must stay disciplined, but we know that we have to be careful not to overstep the mark," he said.

England have had three players sent off in World Cup finals — Ray Wilkins for two yellow cards against Morocco in Mexico in 1986, David Beckham in a match against Argentina in France in 1998 and Wayne Rooney, against Portugal in Germany in 2002.

Rustenburg Ledley King says there will come a point during the next few weeks when his little boy wonders why his dad can play for England in a World Cup but can't join him for a kick-about in the garden.

"It is difficult," says King. "To be a dad and say you can't play. Coby is six this month and he kind of understands there's a problem with my knees. He hears enough about it! But he loves football and there are plenty of times when he tries to get me out in the garden or in the park. It can be tough."

King's knees are a mess due to a chronic condition that has limited him to 20 caps when he should have 80. It is a condition so bad that he has not only come close to retirement, but has also been warned continuing to play could seriously impact on his later life. "I wasn't listening when the doctor said it though," he joked yesterday.

Courageous as well as classy, King considers it a fair price to pay. The opportunity to play in a World Cup is something so few players have and he is not going to worry about what might happen in the future. Especially when his country needs him so much in the wake of Rio Ferdinand's injury.

His condition restricts how often he can train. Being the modest chap he is, he felt "awkward" when he first joined Fabio Capello's squad, his concern being that the limitations his problem imposes on him would cause a surprise.

"I think it was hard for him and me," he says. "I felt awkward at first but I couldn't have asked for more. He's been brilliant. It's just a different situation. I've not been involved with England these past few years and they've not seen how I work in the week. It's been a bit of a shock to the players and maybe the staff, but the manager has been brilliant.

"He's told me to do what I would normally do. There are times when you're tempted to try to do a bit too much but I have to try to make sure I'm available and ready for the games. It's flattering that the manager has shown great faith in me. He's been first class."

King draws inspiration from another centre half who suffered badly with his knees. "I read Paul McGrath's book," he says. "He struggled with the kind of problems I had and yet still managed to perform at a high level. He was mentioned a lot to me, which was why I got the book in the first place. I picked up things on how his mind worked and what to look out for. There are times when you do doubt yourself because you're not training and you don't have the same sharpness. At any one time that can show up, but you have to stay strong in your head and believe you can still perform."

King has to believe he can quickly form a partnership with John Terry. It is three years since they last played together — a European Championship qualifier in Estonia — and his absence from training will add to the pressure. King, however, knows Terry well, having played for the same youth team.

"That side of things doesn't worry me,' says the Spurs captain. "John's a top-class defender, as are the rest of the back four. I wouldn't see a problem slipping in if I was called upon. But John and I played for Senrab together.

"I've watched John for years so I know his game. Communication is key for defenders and he's a big talker and I'll talk too. I'm sure we'll be fine."

He and Terry prefer to play on the left of the central two but that does not worry King. "It's something we'll discuss but I'll probably play on the right" he says. "But I can guarantee that I'll give 100 per cent and that I'm ready to play."

His son will no doubt take note.

Injuries: Barry, James start training

Fabio Capello is unlikely to risk Gareth Barry against the US on Saturday, despite the fact that he is now "flying" in training. England's medical staff have been astonished by the speed of the midfielder's recovery from an ankle injury that convinced Capello he was out of the finals. But his chances of starting in Rustenburg are slim because Capello won't put a player crucial to his plans at any risk. The same goes for David James, who was back in training yesterday but could be ruled out by a slight knee problem. That would let in Robert Green or Joe Hart, with the West Ham keeper just ahead, even though Hart is impressing more in training.