England manager Roy Hodgson has reassured injured duo Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry that they still have a future with the national team.
Lampard, 33, and Barry, 31, were both initially called up to England's Euro 2012 squad, but have since had to pull out through injury, raising speculation over their international futures.
Lampard's future in particular was called into question due to the fact that he will be almost 36 when the next major tournament comes along. However, Hodgson has confirmed that both midfielders remain part of his plans.
"I still think they are going to play a part in my plans for the future because they are both quality Premier League and international players," said Hodgson.
"Unfortunately we have had to let them both go.
"I could see the disappointment in their eyes when it was pretty obvious it was going to be difficult for me to keep them due to the injuries they have suffered."
Lampard made his England debut in 1999 and has since made 90 appearances for his country, scoring 23 goals, while Barry won the first of his 53 caps in 2000.
Barney Corkhill
