Alex also out but Nicolas Anelka returns

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has been ruled out for a further two to three weeks after withdrawing from Thursday's training session with a new muscle injury.



The England international was on course to return in the club's game against Sunderland this Sunday, but manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the midfielder will not play after injuring an abductor muscle near the end of training.

Ancelotti had been hoping Lampard could fill the gap left by Michael Essien - who is suspended for Sunday's game.

Lampard has been out of action with hernia and tendon problems since the end of August but had recently begun training with the first-team squad. Ancelotti was confident that he would be fit enough to play against Sunderland.



The 32-year-old setback is an added blow to the club, who are also without central defender Alex who is sidelined with a knee problem.



The Italian did have some good news for fans, revealing that striker Nicolas Anelka will return after missing the victory over Fulham with a back problem.