Lampard Suffers Setback

[middleoftheshed 388]

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.

"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."

SkySports

[EskWeston 696]

Well that is certianly not good. We are seriously short of midfielders at the moment and we could have done with Frank back right now. Lets hope he isn't set back too much and gets back pretty sharpish.

[We Hate Scouse 10,326]

There saying it's 2 weeks, I think we've been fine without him. Terry's the main person we need back!

[misschief 24]

Ballack's coping admirably without Lampard, I dont think another two weeks is going to make that much difference.

[EskWeston 696]

Ballack's coping admirably without Lampard, I dont think another two weeks is going to make that much difference.

But at the moment we have just Maka and Ballack (errrrrrm and Sidwell) and if either of them take a knock we will be in deep trouble.

[misschief 24]

But at the moment we have just Maka and Ballack (errrrrrm and Sidwell) and if either of them take a knock we will be in deep trouble.

Chelsea players getting injured, surely youre worrying yourself about nothing there? It'll never happen.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Makelele and Ballack are doing well enough, Lampard is not missed all that much dare I say it. He adds an extra dimension to the team, but I feel because of Claude's excellence, we are missing Essien and Mikel a lot less.

[EskWeston 696]

Makelele and Ballack are doing well enough, Lampard is not missed all that much dare I say it. He adds an extra dimension to the team, but I feel because of Claude's excellence, we are missing Essien and Mikel a lot less.

With Maka's age though how many games at this level can he play in a row now before he will feel he needs a rest? With Lampard, Mikel and Essien all out at the moment we are very lucky to have Ballack and Maka to take the strain, but hopefully that strain won't be too much for either of them.

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

Non-fat Frank Lampard is set to suffer more injury heartbreak after he tore a muscle in his right thigh again. He's set to be out of action for at least a month.

The Star

[bombayblue™ 55]

but one suspension or injury would really weaken up our midfield... seeing we don't have a major threat until pompey away on 2nd feb, it shouldnt matter much..

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Portsmouth aren't great at home and are missing as many players to the Cup of Nations as we are. Plus, we always win 2-0 up there

[Steve 10,227]

hmmm as much as we are not missing lamps as much as i thought we would be i still cant wait for him to get back, he adds that extra bit of flair to our midfield and he always picks them through balls out that no body else see's so i want him back asap