The 35-year old Frank Lampard is currently nursing himself back from an achilles injury and has been forced to sit out all of Chelsea’s 3 pre-season games in Asia. He has also missed out on the Blues’ 2-0 victories against Inter Milan and AC Milan, and is facing a race against time to return to full fitness before the start of the new season.

The veteran was outstanding in the second half of last season and wrote his name in the history books as he managed to overtake Bobby Tambling’s goal scoring record, and in the process became Chelsea’s all time-leading goal scorer. He hit a purple patch and guided the London club to 3rd spot in the league table along with helping them clinch the Europa League trophy. He was hoping to carry on the momentum into the new season before he was stopped in his tracks by his injury.

Chelsea welcomed back Mourinho from Real Madrid, who has been provided a vastly talented and experienced group of midfielders to work with. Apart from Lampard, Mourinho has plenty of options such as Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Ramires, Oscar, Marco Van Ginkel and Kevin de Bruyne to choose from. Therefore it is expected that Lampard will be rested regularly and his younger team-mates will get a run in the side.

Mourinho spoke to ESPN regarding Lampard’s current injury and admitted that he will ease him back into action and then exercise greater caution while using Lampard sparingly and carefully. He said, “Frank is recovering but of course we don’t want to take risks,”

“Hopefully he plays on the tour, I won’t say the second match but maybe the third or fourth.”

Chelsea fans will be keen to see their iconic midfielder return to full fitness and recreate the form of last season and once again be a key figure if they have the ambition of silverware this season.