It was nice to see Frank Lampard Jr reach a significant milestone as an England international, gaining his 100th cap in the draw with Ukraine in a World Cup qualifying match in midweek.I’ve known the Lampard family for many years, playing in the same West Ham team as Frank Sr all those years ago even before Frank Jr was born. I think Frank Jr has been an outstanding player, not only for his country but the clubs he’s been with, starting at West Ham and now at Chelsea where he holds the scoring record of 204 Chelsea goals in all competitions, an amazing feat for a midfield player.His achievements are a testament to himself, his dad and his mom Patricia who passed away a few years ago. They brought up a decent fellow and the most important thing is not only is he a good player on the field but a good person off it as well. You never hear of him getting in trouble and it is a testament to his family structure and that is very important when you play professional soccer and follow in the footsteps of your dad who is regularly seen at Chelsea games supporting his son.Most players simply dream about playing for their country and Frank Jr has now done it 100 times, the eighth England player to reach the milestone. It is an accomplishment that he should be very, very proud of and I’m sure he is. He has certainly come a long way since breaking into the West Ham team in 1997-98 and then moving to Chelsea for ¦£11 million in 2001.His dad was a rugged leftback for West Ham who could play a bit and was a perfect volleyer of the ball, probably one of the best in our time. But he put the time and the effort in, and I remember Frank and myself many afternoons going back to train and working on our game, shooting and heading. He was a good role model, a true professional.I think I met Frank Jr when he was young when I went back to Upton Park. He and Rio Ferdinand were just starting out and both have grown into tremendous human beings and have done well for the game in the modern era. With Frank playing in midfield and scoring the goals that he does, I can’t tell you the last time I have seen a midfielder doing that.I see that Andy Carroll is still sidelined at West Ham and it must be frustrating for both him and the club with the injuries he’s having. It has been said that Carlton Cole, who was released by the club at the end of last season, might be given another chance at the club. We do need to get somebody up front and with Andy, he seems to be in one week and out the next.It is an Achilles injury this time and those injuries can take a long time to heal. We do need him up front, he’s a battler, and with the two wingers we have it is ideal for him.It looks like Daniel Sturridge could be back for Liverpool for their Monday match away to Swansea, manager Brendan Rodgers’ former club. They are going to need Sturridge if they want to continue to win. Both managers like their teams to play football so it should be an interesting game. Thus far Liverpool have done very well but it is only three games into the season and we mustn’t get carried away because one crucial injury could devastate their whole season.It’s great to see Liverpool as the early leaders, they are like Manchester United in a sense, a dynasty. Bill Shankly built an empire when he was at Liverpool and it is a wonderful place to play with wonderful fans who really like their football.