• League Cup

Pellegrini: Lampard can't play three games in a row

Manuel Pellegrini has hinted Frank Lampard will still have to settle for a bit-part role at Manchester City despite taking his tally to three goals in two games with a double in the 7-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday.

The veteran midfielder came off the bench to score against his former club Chelsea on Sunday and then added two goals as City began their defence of the League Cup in emphatic fashion.

James Milner congratulates Manchester City team-mate Frank Lampard © Getty Images

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Lampard was brought to the Etihad Stadium on loan until January from New York City to provide back-up to Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and Fernando in the centre of midfield but is starting to press his case to play regularly.

"For me it is never difficult to put a good player in a team," Pellegrini told a news conference. "I always say the problem is when you don't have the players.

"I think it's very important for Frank to score again today. I said after the game against Chelsea [that] he is a very important player for our team.

"He is now 36 years old and maybe he cannot play three games in a row, but he continues knowing how to play this sport and Frank is a top player in that sense."

The game was held up in the closing stages when a City supporter invaded the pitch and took a photograph with Lampard before being ejected by stewards.

Without condoning his actions, Pellegrini said he could understand the fan's desire to pay tribute to the veteran.

Pellegrini added: "It's because he [Lampard] deserved it. He has his story in football here in England and I am very happy for him."

Edin Dzeko also scored twice with Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas and debutant Jose Pozo on the scoresheet as well and it was the 18-year-old striker for whom Pellegrini reserved special praise.

He said: "Pozo is a really good prospect for us, he is a player we believe in a lot. Last season he was unlucky with an ankle injury and for a long time he was trying to recover but he has shown a great level recently."

James Milner admitted earlier this week that he was undecided on his City future, but he put in another fine performance having excelled against Chelsea at the weekend and Pellegrini wasn't surprised.

He added: "No, because I know what James Milner can do on the pitch. I think he is a player who always works a 100 percent everyday, if he's in the starting eleven or not, he's always a great professional.

"Maybe in the last year he didn't play so much as he wanted to, because the level of David Silva, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas but now he's demonstrating every game that he plays what he can give to our team, so I am very happy for him."

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