Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has suffered a setback
in his bid to recover from a thigh problem.
Lampard has been out of action since picking up the thigh injury in
the Boxing Day draw with Aston Villa.
The England international had targeted a return against Everton in
the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final, but he will now
miss the trip to Goodison Park after aggravating the injury in
training.
Blues boss Avram Grant confirmed Lampard could be sidelined for a
further two weeks.
"All I can say about his injury is that he is not available for the
moment but we hope he will be soon as possible," said Grant.
Complicated
"It is a little bit more complicated than we thought. But I think
he will be back soon.
"He has torn his thigh muscle for a second time and I think it
could be between days or two weeks from now."
Better news on the injury front for Grant is that Shaun
Wright-Phillips could be available despite limping off against
Birmingham at the weekend.
Wright-Phillips was expected to miss out after suffering an ankle
injury at St Andrews, but he is back in light training and could
make the clash with Everton.
"The good thing with these players is they like to play and even
when they are not fit and 100 per cent, they are doing everything
to play.
"Not all the players have been 100 per cent fit for the last few
games but the squad is very short. Everybody, including Shaun, is
doing everything they can to play, but it is good news he is out
there."
Grant has dismissed suggestions that his side will go to Goodison
Park and sit back and defend their 2-1 lead from the first
leg.
"I don't believe in that. If you go to only defend then you can
make a mistake and lose the game because of it," insisted
Grant.
"It is not our style of game over the last three months. I don't
think you can play totally different for just one game. It is not
the nature of the team.
"We will not change our system and our style of play will be the
same we play at home. I believe Everton feel more comfortable to
play at home but for us it is the same. The atmosphere at Liverpool
and Goodison Park is very good. I like it. The supporters get
behind their team. It is a great atmosphere.
"The Carling Cup is not my main target but it is a good
competition. If you get into the semi-final of any competition then
you want to qualify and any game we have played in the Carling Cup
we have taken seriously."
