A chink of light has been shed on the Frank Lampard injury today with the news that he’ll miss the rest of the Christmas programme with a tear in his thigh muscle. Lampard was subbed before the half-hour mark against Villa yesterday and the midfieder had scans on the injury today. Chelsea’s statement is, true to form, unspecific and vague about the length of absence.

“He will begin his rehabilitation immediately and we hope to have him back playing within a few weeks.”

Some extra research at Physioroom indicates that Lampard will have to go through a period of rest in order repair the tear and that a “grade one” injury of this type will require about 3-weeks of recovery time.

That would see Lampard target a return around the Premiership clash at Birmingham on Jan 19. Lampard’s absence is likely to hand opportunities to Ballack and Sidwell with Chelsea facing three Premiership games, a two legged Carling Cup semi-final and an FA Cup third round tie, before that game.