THE question was back on the agenda as Wayne Rooney headed home nursing a calf injury which has ruled him out against Belarus tomorrow night.
How on earth will Fabio Capello's team cope if Rooney gets crocked during the World Cup?
It's not as if it is unprecedented in tournaments. Rooney's injury against Portugal in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 probably cost England the game.
And the 2006 World Cup in Germany began without Rooney, who was still recovering from a broken metatarsal.
Frank Lampard believes others have to grab the opportunity whenever Rooney is absent and take on extra responsibility.
But he acknowledges the Manchester United striker is always a big miss - and not just for his brilliance on the pitch, it is his enthusiasm off it as well.
For Rooney still has that infectious schoolboy keenness to want to get his strip on as quickly as possible, get the ball out and start running around, belting it against the wall in the warm-up area and encouraging those dawdling behind to hurry up and join him because he wants someone to play with.
In fact, Lampard reckons there's never been anyone quite like Wazza since Gazza.
Lampard came across Paul Gascoigne when he and Rio Ferdinand were invited to join in with the Euro 96 squad to get a taste of the big time.
Gazza was in full flow and Lampard sees the same bouncability in Rooney.
The Chelsea midfielder said: "Wayne has been like that since he first came into the squad.
"He is one of those that when you get there an hour before the game he has got his kit straight on.
"He is kicking and flicking the balls around, walking around and chatting to everyone as if there is not a big game coming up. That is his attitude and it rubs off very well.
"He is a one-off. If someone else did it you would probably criticise them for not stretching properly. With Wayne that is how he is.
"He is a very effervescent character and only certain players give you that enthusiasm. Some have it and keep it to themselves while Wayne gives it out to people around him.
"The only one I remember being like that, and I never played with him, was Gazza. He had that kind of bounciness around the hotel and the dressing room and it got people going.
"Some people can be nervous and, having Wayne come round to them to have a chat or make a joke is something that's very relaxing. I've met a couple at club level at various times in my career - but Gazza was the big one.
"At West Ham we had lots of characters like John Moncur and Neil Ruddock. You could see their enthusiasm. It might not have always been quite right at times, but it can provide a lift.
"And, with Wayne, it's not only that he is a bubbly character, but he backs it up with the way he plays and his attitude in training."
Lampard cannot think of anyone in the current England squad who can do the job Rooney does in the changing room.
Lamps added: "He's quite a difficult one to replace. If you're not that kind of character and you try to be, it doesn't quite work. You're born with it. It's natural. He did it at 18. Some players are born to play for England at 17 or 18 like Michael Owen or Wayne.
"Other players, like myself, need 10 or 15 games to believe you should even be there. So that is something we will miss."
Lampard believes it is important England show they can adapt when important players like Rooney are absent.
He said: "Of course he's a huge miss. No one would ever say any different, but I've seen quite a lot in my career.
"If you lose a big player of course you're losing something, but it does make everyone a bit stronger and people have to step up.
"We're not that weak that we're going to be affected psychologically. We are strong enough and we've got a good mix of experienced players who are used to that and can step up and help people around them."
Lampard, 31, has been playing for England for a decade, collecting 75 caps and scoring 20 goals.
He will become the country's all-time record scorer in World Cup qualifiers if he nets tomorrow night.
Lamps added: "I'm pleased with how my career's gone with England. It's had some ups and downs, but anyone who's played for 10 years has probably had that. I'm enjoying it now as much as ever."
