• Premier League

Fresh injury blow for Lampard

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has suffered a fresh setback and will be out of action for a further three weeks.

The England international has not featured for Chelsea since the game with Stoke on August 28, having gone under the surgeon's knife to remedy a groin complaint.

A number of setbacks delayed his return but he was tentatively pencilled in for the visit of Sunderland. However, he was forced to withdraw from training on Thursday on account of a muscle problem and is likely to be out for a further three weeks.

"Frank Lampard will be out of action for another two to three weeks having withdrawn from yesterday's training session with a fresh muscle injury," read a statement on the club's official website. "The vice-captain was on course for a return in Sunday's game but Carlo Ancelotti announced today that the player suffered an injury to an abductor muscle near the end of the session."

Chelsea will also be without defender Alex, but Nicolas Anelka is available after shaking off a back problem that kept him out of the win over Fulham.

The Blues made the shock move to sack Ray Wilkins on Thursday and Carlo Ancelotti has insisted he respects the decision to remove his assistant.

"I want to say thanks to him, he is my friend and I have a fantastic relationship with him," Ancelotti said. "The club made this decision and it was a difficult decision for everyone, but I have respect for the decision and have the trust in the staff that work with me.

"We have to move on and look forward to the next game. It is important to move on."

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