Roy Hodgson got back to the nitty gritty after the Rio Ferdinand farce as England trained at St. George's Park ahead of their World Cup qualifiers in San Marino and Montenegro.
James Milner and Frank Lampard were on press duties, and Ferdinand's former West Ham teammate Lampard was disappointed Ferdinand hadn't linked up with the squad.
"I was sorry for Rio and the team, as he's been in fantastic form," Lampard said.
England training
England Training Session and Press Conference(01 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England shares a joke with Wayne Rooney during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(02 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Joe Hart of England dives to save a ball during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(03 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England talks with Ashley Cole during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(04 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Jermain Defoe, Steven Caulker, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Taylor in action during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(05 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Gary Neville of England talks with Ray Lewington during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(06 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Wayne Rooney of England in action during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(07 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Ben Foster of England makes a save during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(08 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Ben Foster of England makes a save during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(09 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England talks with the team during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(10 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England talks with the team during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(11 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Steven Taylor warms up during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(12 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Joleon Lescott talks with Leon Osman during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(13 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Joe Hart of England dives to save a ball during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(14 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Joe Hart of England dives to save a ball during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(15 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(16 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England talks with Danny Welbeck during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(17 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(18 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Wayne Rooney of England talks with Joleon Lescott during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(19 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(20 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Joe Hart of England saves a ball during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(21 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(22 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Wayne Rooney of England warms up in front of Roy Hodgson during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England Training Session and Press Conference(23 of67)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Roy Hodgson of England looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on March 19, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(24 of67)
(right-left) England's Leighton Baines, Joleon Lescott and Leon Osman during a press conference at St George's Park, Burton Upon Trent. (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(25 of67)
England's Michael Carrick (left) during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(26 of67)
(right-left) England's Leighton Baines, Joleon Lescott and Leon Osman during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(27 of67)
(right-left) England's Leighton Baines, Joleon Lescott and Leon Osman during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(28 of67)
England's Tom Cleverley (front) during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(29 of67)
England's Joleon Lescott and Leon Osman (left) during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(30 of67)
England's Wayne Rooney during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(31 of67)
England's Frank Lampard during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(32 of67)
England's Fraser Forster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(33 of67)
(right-left) England's Leighton Baines, Joleon Lescott, Leon Osman and James Milner during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(34 of67)
England's manager Roy Hodgson (right) and Gary Neville during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(35 of67)
England's manager Roy Hodgson during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(36 of67)
England's Gary Neville and Ray Lewington (right) (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(37 of67)
(left-right) England's Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Scott Parker and Tom Cleverley during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(38 of67)
England's Steven Taylor (right) during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(39 of67)
England's manager Roy Hodgson oversees training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(40 of67)
(left-right) England's James Milner, Leighton Baines and Theo Walcott during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(41 of67)
England's Ashley Cole (left) and Glen Johnson during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(42 of67)
England's manager Roy Hodgson talks to Wayne Rooney during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(43 of67)
England's manager Roy Hodgson gestures to Wayne Rooney as they stretch during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(44 of67)
England's Joleon Lescott and Leon Osman (left) during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(45 of67)
England's manager Roy Hodgson gestures to Wayne Rooney as they stretch during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(46 of67)
(right-left) England's Leighton Baines, Joleon Lescott, Leon Osman and James Milner during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(47 of67)
England's Wayne Rooney (right) and Joleon Lescott during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(48 of67)
England's manager Roy Hodgson during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(49 of67)
England's Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney (background) during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(50 of67)
England's Steven Taylor (front) during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(51 of67)
England goalkeeper Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(52 of67)
England goalkeepers Ben Foster (right) and Joe Hart during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(53 of67)
England's manager Roy Hodgson shakes hands with Joleon Lescott during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(54 of67)
England goalkeeper Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(55 of67)
England goalkeeper Joe Hart during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(56 of67)
England goalkeeper Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(57 of67)
England goalkeeper Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(58 of67)
England goalkeeper Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(59 of67)
England goalkeeper Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(60 of67)
England goalkeeper Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(61 of67)
England goalkeeper Joe Hart during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(62 of67)
England goalkeeper Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(63 of67)
England goalkeeper Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(64 of67)
England's Daniel Sturridge before training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(65 of67)
England's Leighton Baines (left) during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(66 of67)
England's goalkeepers (left-right) Joe Hart, Fraser Forster and Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
Soccer - 2014 World Cup Qualifier - Group H - San Marino v England - England Training and Press Conference - St George's Park(67 of67)
England's goalkeepers (left-right) Joe Hart, Fraser Forster and Ben Foster during training (credit:PA)
"I understand he has his own regime, when you have to manage yourself. Rio is very disciplined in that so all credit to him."
Talk also turned to another absent member, specifically Michael Owen, who will retire at the end of the season.
"Michael had a fantastic career and will go down in history as one of the greatest strikers we've had in history," Lampard said.
"He was a player I was proud to play alongside. He deserves very high praise.