Frank Lampard has suffered setback in his fight for fitness following a thigh muscle injury and he is now reportedly a potential doubt for the England friendly with Switzerland on February 6.

Reports are suggesting that Lampard suffered further damage to his thigh in training on Friday and was forced to withdraw from the squad for the visit to Birmingham. That’s meant that treatment has had to resume and that Lampard will face another period of rehabilitation.

Lampard will now be targeting a return against Reading at the end of the month but today’s reports suggest that even that is in doubt.

This is all good news for owners of Ballack who looks set to get at least another couple of games without the prospect of Lampard threatening his place in the side. The ankle injury to Wright-Phillips on Saturday could even see Lampard lineup alongside Ballack come February, should today’s scan for Wright-Phillips reveal the need for a prolonged absence for the in-form midfielder.