• Premier League

Lampard out of Chelsea's trip to Bolton

ESPN staff
January 24, 2011
Frank Lampard has only made nine league appearances for Chelsea this season © PA Photos
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Chelsea will be without Frank Lampard for Monday's league visit to Bolton after the midfielder did not travel with the rest of the squad to the Reebok Stadium.

Lampard has been struggling with a calf problem and, although it was not initially feared that he would be sidelined by the injury, the England midfielder will now have to wait to make only his 10th league appearance of the campaign. It is understood that Chelsea's medical staff decided it was best to give their talisman extra time to recover ahead of clashes with Everton and Sunderland.

Chelsea go into the game trailing leaders Manchester United by 10 points, thanks to six losses already this season. And they will have skipper John Terry available to boost their chances at Bolton.

Having scored 21 goals in their opening five league fixtures, Carlo Ancelotti believes his men paid the price for attempting to live up to their heightened expectations.

Victory over Blackburn in their last outing saw the Blues threaten to turn the corner after a spell that saw them win one of nine league games, but news of Lampard's absence will be a big blow ahead of a trip to a Bolton side that has only lost to Liverpool at home this season.

Lampard will now target Chelsea's FA Cup tie with Everton, live on ESPN, for his return.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti is reportedly close to finalising a deal for Benfica defender David Luiz, who did not feature in the Portuguese side's weekend victory over Nacional.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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