Lampard Comeback Delayed Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has been forced to delay his comeback to first-team action, meaning that he is in danger of

Lampard had targeted today’s match against Birmingham for his comeback, but it appears his injury has not healed as well as expected meaning he misses out yet again.

The midfielder sustained the thigh injury against Aston Villa on Boxing Day and even with long sessions of rehabilitation at the club’s Cobham headquarters he has not recovered sufficiently.

With the international also unlikely to be risked in next weekend’s FA Cup clash with Wigan, time is running out for Lampard to show what he can do to new England boss Fabio Capello, with the danger that he will not make the Italian’s first squad.

With Michael Ballack filling in admirably and Chelsea in the midst of a great run of form, Avram Grant is not keen on rushing Lampard back prematurely.

He has reportedly accepted the situation knowing full well that he doesn’t want to come back too soon and inflict further damage on the thigh.