Midfielder feels for Ferdinand, but happy to be Gerrard's next in command.

Frank Lampard admits the England squad are united in their sympathy for the injured Rio Ferdinand but has backed Steven Gerrard to do a fine job as captain during the World Cup.
 
Manchester United centre-back Ferdinand damaged his knee in a training session on Friday and was ruled out of the tournament, with Tottenham's Michael Dawson called up in his place.
 
Fabio Capello has handed the armband to vice-captain Gerrard, and Lampard believes the Liverpool skipper will take to the role with relish.
 
"He is very down," said Lampard of Ferdinand in today's press conference.

"It's a huge competition, the biggest competition. It made me feel a bit sick in the stomach, so I can't imagine how he feels.
 
"But we have to keep batting on, we have to be very focused. There's nothing wrong with being disappointed. That's normal. But when we trained today, we trained at full pelt.
 
"Dawson's turned up now and he's a lad who fully deserves to get that kind of call-up for the player he is and the season he's had so we have to just focus.

"Yes, we've lost a big player and big leader in our team but we've got to get together.
 
"I think he (Gerrard) will do the job he does at Liverpool, which he has done fantastically for years. It'll mean everything to him having the England captaincy.
 
"Steven's got that very quiet way about him off the pitch and everyone respects him for that. He's a player to look up to and that is what a captain's all about."

Lampard also revealed he has been made vice-captain by Capello.
 
"I am vice-captain," he said. "I was told by the manager and Franco Baldini yesterday and I am very proud of that.
 
"Obviously I am very disappointed for Rio. He is a mate. But what can I do? I shall just try to give my input as a vice-captain."