Ancelotti expects prompt return for Lampard and Terry
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is hoping for a quick return for John Terry and Frank Lampard, who are both recovering from injury.
Speaking to the club's official website at the launch of his autobiography, Ancelotti stated that the English pair will return to the Chelsea squad soon after the international break.
"Lampard had surgery on Tuesday and I think that he will start to train this week," Ancelotti said about his star midfielder, who has been troubled by a hernia problem. "I don't know when, but we will see how he trains and we will take a decision for the game against West Ham."
Terry is suffering from a hamstring injury that has troubled him since the World Cup this summer. Ancelotti expects the defender to return to training this week.
"Terry didn't have surgery but he used the last week to improve his hamstring. He will start to train with the squad this week, maybe Tuesday, and I think he will be able to play against West Ham."
Vital contributors to Chelsea's success
Between them, the pair has made 633 league appearances for the club. With his 106 league goals, 22 of which came last season, Lampard’s goal scoring and offensive creativity has been integral to the team's success in recent years. Terry, the team's captain since the 2003-04 season, provides great defensive comfort for Ancelotti's side.
The injured pair was left out of the England squad that faced Bulgaria on Friday. The team is to face Switzerland on Tuesday.
Backs Capello in England role
On the topic of the national team, Ancelotti backed England manager and fellow Italian Fabio Capello to rise above the criticism he has been receiving since the World Cup.
"I was surprised because before the World Cup, Capello was a god and now [people say] he is not good enough to manage the national team. I think that Capello is a fantastic coach and he is able to manage the national team and will show this in the future. He won a lot of titles in Italy and in Spain and he will do his best in England."
Chelsea play their next league game against West Ham on Saturday.
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