• Premier League

New York City claim Lampard will not extend Man City stay

ESPN staff
September 25, 2014
Frank Lampard has been in fine goalscoring form for Manchester City so far this season © Getty Images
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New York City FC head coach Jason Kreis has dismissed speculation that Frank Lampard could have his loan stay at Manchester City extended.

Lampard, 36, joined the Premier League champions until January from NYC FC, although their inaugural Major League Soccer campaign does not begin until March.

That has led to suggestions that City may look to hold on to Chelsea's record goalscorer for a longer period - something that Kreis was quick to dismiss.

"There is no truth to that rumour at all," he said in a conference call.

Lampard has impressed for City in recent games, scoring against former club Chelsea in the 1-1 Premier League draw on Sunday, as well as netting twice against Sheffield Wednesday in the 7-0 Capital One Cup win on Wednesday.

With City set to lose one central midfielder in January when Yaya Toure is likely to be part of Ivory Coast's squad for the African Nations Cup - which ends on February 8 - manager Manuel Pellegrini has said the club are open to extending Lampard's deal.

Lampard will eventually link up in New York with fellow summer signing David Villa, who is set for a loan spell at A-League side Melbourne City.

Kreis confirmed that Villa will head to Australia in the first week of October, and will stay in Melbourne for two months.

"He's been training here in NYC, and I spent some time with him in the past week," Kreis said. "He looks ready to go."

Lampard and Villa currently represent one third of NYC FC's squad - defenders Jeb Brovsky and Kwame Watson-Siriboe, midfielder Andrew Jacobson and goalkeeper Josh Saunders are the club's other players.

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