After seeming to have his name written in indelible ink on the Chelsea teamsheet for the past decade, Frank Lampard now finds his place in the side in doubt.

Taken off at half-time against Manchester United, left out against Swansea and with only one goal - a penalty at that - to show for his efforts so far this season, the midfielder no longer appears such a key player at Stamford Bridge.

His future at international level is similarly insecure, after he was demoted to the bench against Bulgaria at the start of the month - the first time in four years that he had not started a competitive match for his country when available.

So, at 33, is he merely a squad player at Chelsea, with £23.5m summer signing Juan Mata now the leading light in midfield?

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Chris Ashton's swallow dive might have become the emblem of England's resurgence in this season's Six Nations, but Toby Flood's boot has been arguably as impressive.

England have a 100% goalkicking record in this season's tournament, and most of those 15 kicks have been converted by Flood.

His metronomic boot has brought back memories of Jonny Wilkinson in his pomp, and it's perhaps no coincidence that Flood has recently been working with Wilkinson's long-time mentor, Dave Alred.

"Dave has raised the bar for what we're doing," the Leicester fly-half told BBC Sport at England's Pennyhill Park training base earlier this week.

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Joseph Hood Recreation Ground, Merton

This is not what I had expected tennis utopia to look like. Grass is growing on the tramlines, the lines are faded and the nets are held up by plastic carrier bags.

But it is not long before I realise why Judy Murray describes this weekly session as the most inspiring thing she has been involved with all year. In a flash, these shabby courts are transformed by dozens of enthusiastic players of all ages, abilities, sizes and colours.

Parents are feeding sponge balls to small children barely able to see over the net, a coach is demonstrating the service action to a group of attentive pupils, while players across the age spectrum are patiently waiting for their turn in a groundstroke drill. Everyone seems to be having fun and enjoying themselves.

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