Who will join Frank Lampard's Blues? Get our daily Chelsea newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Frank Lampard is set to hand Manchester City a New Year year boost by extending his loan spell.

Although City boss Manuel Pellegrini claimed no decision had been made on Lampard's future, it is understood the midfielder has agreed to stay on with the champions.

With Yaya Toure on African Nations Cup duty for up to five weeks at the start of January, Pellegrini has told the City hierarchy of the need to hold on to Lampard for longer.

Former Chelsea midfielder Lampard, 36, has scored six goals in 15 games for City since joining on loan deal from their MLS franchise New York City FC back in August.

Although Lampard's loan deal runs out on New Year's Eve, an agreement is in place for him to stay with City until at least mid-February, with the new MLS season not starting until March.

City boss Pellegrini said: "It's not so easy because Frank is a New York City player. He is only on loan until December 31, so we must respect the other people.

"I repeat that Frank is very important for our team so I hope he will stay here. The reason [for the delay in a final decision on his future] is not important - the important thing is that he stays here.

(Image: Alex Livesey)

"Yes, I am confident he'll stay, but I can't say 100 per cent because it doesn't depend just on me."

Pellegrini revealed Lampard was taken on loan by City primarily as cover for Toure while he is away at the African Cup of Nations, an admission that the former England star was always going to stay beyond this month.

"One of the reasons we asked him [Lampard] to play here was because we knew Yaya would be leaving us to go to the African Cup of Nations," said Pellegrini.

"Yaya will go between January 5 to 10. We're not exactly sure of the dates, but I think he will play in the FA Cup third round and then go in the second week of January."

City are currently second, three points behind leaders Chelsea, in what appears to be a two-club race for the title, with Pellegrini

believing 87 points will be enough to be crowned champions.

"You have to play for 57 points in the second round of games, still six in this round - so that's 63 points," said Pellegrini.

"You must win around 86 or 87 points, so many teams can still arrive at that."