Frank Lampard: 'Media should not have leaked England World Cup training notes'

Frank Lampard has criticised the English press for publishing an image of what appeared to be England's starting lineup for their World Cup game against Panama.

Earlier this week, various newspapers and online publications circulated the image of Three Lions assistant manager Steve Holland holding a piece of paper containing player names presented in a tactical formation.

A bemused Gareth Southgate subsequently stated that "our media has to decide if they want to help the team or not" and Lampard has weighed in with his reservations about the media's decision to leak the image.

"We don't know yet whether the England team that was accidentally revealed by assistant manager Steve Holland will be the one that starts against Panama, but I don't think it should have been leaked in the first place," Lampard told BBC Sport.

"I have been at plenty of major tournaments so I know how these things work - I am not surprised it happened. But I just think that, as a nation, there is a really good feeling around the England team at the moment, and there was no need to jeopardise that.

"The media have been crying out for more access and a better connection to the players, and they have got that. Then something like this happens, which is quite a delicate situation. It would have been quite easy to keep a lid on it because it is a time when you want to be working together on these things, but that did not happen.

"At the same time, we probably should not overreact - this sounds bad, but it is a group game against Panama. It would be different if it was a quarter-final against Brazil and the media did something like that which did not help England's chances."

England currently sit second in Group G on three points, having played one game fewer than Belgium, who have two wins from two.