New injury setback for Lampard
Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard will have
to delay his comeback from injury by up to three weeks after
picking up a muscle strain in training, the club said
Friday.
Lampard, 32, has been sidelined for two months with a hernia
problem, and was believed to be poised to return for the champions
in their match against Sunderland this weekend.
However the England star suffered a muscle injury in the groin
area while training on Thursday and will be out for between two to
three weeks more.
The injury is not releated to the hernia and tendon problems
which have seen Lampard miss most of Chelsea's matches this
season.
"I think that he will be out again for two or three weeks,"
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said Friday.
"We are very disappointed because he was very close to coming
back. I didn't joke in the last press conference when I said one
week but he was unlucky."
Lampard's delayed return also gives Ancelotti a selection
headache with his other first choice central midfielder Michael
Essien suspended.
"It is bad news, especially at this moment when Essien is
suspended," Ancelotti said.
"It could have been a fantastic opportunity with Frank adding
strength, experience and personality to the team but this is
football and we will have to wait for him."
AFP