Frank Lampard has said that club teammate Gary Cahill can have a long and successful career with England.
The Chelsea defender is expecting to be brought into the side for the match against Ukraine on Tuesday after John Terry was ruled out of the game with an ankle injury.
Joleon Lescott was preferred to Cahill in the 5-0 win in Moldova, but Lampard is adamant that the former Bolton Wanderers centre-back is one of the best in the world in his position.
"John [Terry] will be a big miss, he is very influential, a top player who was fantastic at the Euros when playing under certain pressures," said Lampard. "As a squad we have to deal with his absence and luckily we have great cover whether Gary Cahill or Phil Jagielka comes in.
"Gary has grown completely as a player. I have nothing but massive things to say for Gary. To come to Chelsea after the season we had last year, fit in and play the games he did against Barcelona and then the final, he has proven he is a top, top centre-half in world football.
"Internationally he can go on and play for a long time."
England face Ukraine in their second World Cup qualifying match at Wembley on Tuesday.
Matt Cotton
