Soccer:Midfielder Frank Lampard will miss Chelsea's Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with a groin problem. Lampard has recovered from hernia surgery but has since sustained a slight groin problem.
Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is back after being suspended for the midweek Champions League game against Marseille. Chelsea are also without injured striker Salomon Kalou (thigh) and midfielder Yossi Benayoun (calf).
Chelsea have confirmed that Carlo Ancelotti will be back on the touchline on Sunday following the death of his father. The club’s assistant boss Ray Wilkins admitted the players were down following the death of Ancelotti’s father but says the squad will be lifted by his return to the team hotel on Saturday night.
Ancelotti’s dad, Giuseppe, 87, died in midweek after a long illness with his son at his side and Wilkins revealed that the sad news had affected the players.
“It is obviously extremely unpleasant,” said Wilkins. “The players were down yesterday and they were saddened by the news. So yesterday’s session was not as bright as it should have been. But Carlo is back on Saturday. He will join us in the hotel on Saturday night and will be on the touchline on Sunday.”
Wilkins admitted that Chelsea count themselves extremely fortunate to have a three-point lead at the top of the table. Arsenal’s defeat at home to West Brom and Manchester United’s draw at Bolton last weekend helped Chelsea to remain top even though they lost 1-0 at Manchester City.
But victory for both Arsenal and Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek has lifted both teams ahead of the game.
“This game comes on the back of a victory for both sides in Europe,” said Wilkins. “We enjoy these games and the players enjoy them immensely. It was an incredible weekend and we felt we were quite fortunate to be three points in front at the end of it. But you have to give credit to teams like West Brom and Bolton. These teams fight for everything.”