Frank Lampard hit by another injury setback
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has reported that midfielder Frank Lampard has suffered another setback in his efforts to return from injury and will be out of action for a further three weeks.
The England international has been on the sidelines since undergoing a hernia operation on 31 August. His efforts to make a return for the English Premier League champions had been hampered by a persistent groin injury.
Lampard had overcome that complaint and had been set to play in the EPL clash with Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 14 November, when the 32-year-old suffered a fresh injury to the abductor muscle in his leg that will likely keep him out until December.
The news has come as a blow for the league leaders as they will also be without Michael Essien for EPL fixtures against Sunderland, Birmingham City and Newcastle United after he was sent off in the 1-0 victory over Fulham on Wednesday 10 November.
Ancelotti told reporters, "I think that he will be out again for two or three weeks. 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.
"It is bad news, especially at this moment when Essien is suspended. 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."
The Blues boss also revealed that central defender Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa will miss the Sunderland game due to a knee injury. He will undergo a medical scan on Monday.
Meanwhile, striker Nicolas Anelka is set to return after missing the Fulham game with a back problem. Didier Drogba is also set to be play despite contending with malaria, and will be playing the full match against Chelsea’s London rivals.
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