LONDON – Chelsea star Frank Lampard has said that he faces the prospect of never being fully fit again for the rest of his career. The England midfielder was sidelined by a hernia and groin problem for four months late last year and has only just returned to action. The injury was far worse than at first thought and he is still in some discomfort. “I’ve got to try to keep it strong because I’ve got a weakness there,” Lampard said. “My tendon came off the bone and it doesn’t go back, you just have to stay very strong in that area. “I’ve spoken to players who’ve had it and they know the frustrations and the aftermath and what you have to do.
“There are no sharp pains or anything, but the more games I play, the sharper I’ll be, and I’m determined to have a good second half to the season because I basically missed the first half.” Lampard’s absence saw an alarming slump in form from reigning champions Chelsea, who are now in fifth place, nine points behind leaders United and having played one game more.
