• Champions League

Lampard comes through training to boost Benitez

ESPN staff
December 4, 2012
Rafa Benitez could throw Frank Lampard back into action © PA Photos
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Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez could call on Frank Lampard for the club's crucial Champions League match against FC Nordsjaelland, after the midfielder took a full part in training on Tuesday.

However, defender John Terry is unlikely to be available for Wednesday's contest, as both he and Daniel Sturridge played no part in the morning session.

Lampard, 34, returned to training on Monday after struggling for a number of weeks with a calf problem - and could be set to return to first team availability after coming through a second session a day later.

Terry was also due to participate in training on Monday, but was absent on Tuesday as the club are being careful with his knee injury and will not rush him back - with the weekend's Premier League game against Sunderland likely to be the former England international's next target.

The Blues have struggled in the absence of the two senior players, with Benitez admitting at the weekend that he could hurry back one or both of them into action in a bid to arrest a worrying run of form that has seen the club pick up just two points from the three games since the Spaniard took charge.

"Normally I wouldn't play them if it was not necessary, but a lot of players can play with problems," he said following Saturday's defeat to West Ham. "It depends on the risk.

"But character and leadership are necessary in a team."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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