Lampard Out for 'a Few Weeks' After Scans Confirm Torn Thigh Muscle

Frank Lampard has likely played his last game of 2007 after Chelsea confirmed he had torn his right thigh muscle during yesterday's Premier League match against Aston Villa. A statement released this afternoon claimed the injury - which forced Lampard to limp out of the 4-4 draw after just 26 minutes - will keep the midfielder out for "a few weeks", although the club have stressed that it is not to the same thigh he tore back in September.

"Scans today have revealed a tear in Frank Lampard's right thigh," read the statement. "The tear is not in the same leg that Frank injured earlier this season. He will begin his rehabilitation immediately and we hope to have him back playing within a few weeks."

Lampard's latest setback creates fresh problems for manager Avram Grant, who is already deprived of Didier Drogba, John Terry, Florent Malouda and Carlo Cudicini through injury, and will lose Drogba, Michael Essien and Mikel John Obi to the African Cup of Nations next month. Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole are also in line for suspensions after both were shown red cards in yesterday's draw, though Chelsea are currently appealing Cole's dismissal.