Lamps injury is plane crazy

WE'RE DOWN ... a glum Lamps arrives at team hotel



THE FA face a £900,000 bill after skimping on an economy jet for England stars.
Frank Lampard could be out for six weeks with a thigh injury after seven hours cramped on a plane on the way to Qatar for tomorrow's Brazil friendly.

Chelsea are furious and will claim his £151,000-a-week wages in compensation from the FA.

Lamps and his Three Lions team-mates were forced to spend the long-haul flight to Doha on a charter plane designed for short-haul only.

The superstar players are used to having flat beds for long journeys and were shocked to find seats that barely reclined.

Several players complained of cramp and muscle pain after the flight.

The squad had their first training session yesterday morning. After an initial warm up, Lamps, 31, burst into a sprint and strained his left thigh.

Last season, the midfielder missed six weeks with a similar injury.

He could now be ruled out of crucial league games against Arsenal, Manchester City, Wolves and Everton plus Champions League clashes with Porto and Apoel Nicosia.

The FA decision to book a cheap charter looks like it will backfire on them as they are only receiving a match fee of £400,000 for the Brazil friendly.

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