New injury setback for Lampard
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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
