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I don't have long left at the top level - Lampard

Frank Lampard is eyeing another strong campaign for Chelsea © PA Photos

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Frank Lampard has admitted he will look to leave Chelsea as soon as he realises he no longer has the ability to contribute to the club's chase for silverware - although he hopes that point is still a few years away.

The 33-year-old, who got himself on the scoresheet in Wednesday's 4-0 pre-season win over Kitchee in the Premier League Asia Cup, believes he still has a number of seasons left in him at the highest level - but accepts he will have to start adapting his diet and preparation in order to continue to earn his place at Stamford Bridge.

And, when his abilities do finally start to drop, he does not want to outstay his welcome at the Blues, trying to reclaim former glories.

"Pre-season has always been about getting yourself fresh and I really feel I'm getting there," said Lampard. "If I didn't feel I was getting there I wouldn't want to hang around too long.

"I love getting into the box, getting up and down the pitch. I know I can do it now and, hopefully, I can do it for a few more years. But I know that day will come - although I'll probably be sold before then!

"I do have to look after myself. There are plenty of things I do in the gym, I am with the masseuses occasionally. You look at people who hang around in their 30s and they have to be disciplined about what they do."

Lampard only managed 10 goals in the Premier League last season, as he was frustrated by a niggling groin injury during much of the campaign. Having scored 22 goals in the previous season the former West Ham man admits the time on the sidelines was extremely frustrating, but he feels he is now injury-free for the first time in a while.

"Last season was a stand-out season for me. I have been lucky enough to have gone through season after season without picking up injuries," he said. "That actually hit me harder - because I had been so lucky. Now I have been away, freshened up and, touch wood, I haven't felt my groin at all.

"It is much harder when you aren't used to being injured. The frustration is there from the start."

Chelsea have a new manager at the helm, with Andre Villas-Boas now looking to impart his own tactical ideas on the squad. Lampard is happy to play any role asked of him by the Portuguese - who is only a few months his senior - but hopes his attacking instincts will continue to be deployed.

"I don't mind where I play. I have actually played [a deeper role] for England fairly regularly," he added. "But I do like to get forward and this won't be a role that will stop me getting into the box.

"As long as I am never told not to stray beyond the halfway line, I'll be happy."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.