Grant planning without ace

Blues set to tackle Red Devils without Lampard

By James Pearson   Last updated: 25th April 2008

Frank Lampard Avram Grant Chelsea training

Lampard: Expected to miss out

We're a close family here at Chelsea.

Grant
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Avram Grant is not expecting to utilise Frank Lampard when Chelsea tackle Manchester United in the big game on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1.

The Blues need to beat The Red Devils to give themselves a realistic chance of pipping United to the title, although are set to be without their key midfielder.

Lampard, who featured in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool, is on compassionate leave following the death of his mother.

Grant believes Chelsea are a close-knit club and says it is down to Lampard when he wants to return.

When asked if Lampard would miss the crucial game against The Red Devils, he told Sky Sports News: "I think so, but we need to speak to him of course.

"I think football is very important, but how he feels is more important. It's not an easy situation.

"He didn't train today. Our thoughts are with him. We're a close family here at Chelsea.

"We have every sympathy for Frank and his family. We have to make sure when he comes back we'll still be fighting."

Chance

Although Grant's Chelsea are three points behind United, he is happy his troops are still in with a chance of title glory so late in the campaign.

"We have a big game tomorrow against Manchester United," he continued. "We're happy that we're still in the race to become champions.

"It's a big game anyway. It's our home, we want to win. We're a team that's not easy to beat.

"We did what we needed to do at Liverpool. It was the semi-final of the Champions League at Anfield. It was a good game for us. Now it's another game. This will be a completely different game.

"I think it's an exciting time for everyone. We want to enjoy it. I'm thinking positively, not negatively."

Catch all the action from Stamford Bridge, live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD 1.