Frank Lampard is a major doubt for Chelsea's home Premier League game against Manchester United early next month after scans confirmed the midfielder sustained a small tear to a calf muscle during Saturday's goalless draw at Norwich. The 33-year-old was taken off in some discomfort after 36 minutes at Carrow Road amid fears that the damage was severe. Although the swelling has receded and the medical tests have offered a more positive outlook, Lampard will miss Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Queens Park Rangers and the trip to Swansea City next Tuesday. The United game, on 5 February, may also come too soon for the Londoners' joint leading league scorer this term, leaving André Villas-Boas to contemplate his midfield options for the fixture. Lampard is to join up with the rest of the Chelsea squad who are currently on a warm-weather training camp in Mallorca and will undergo further treatment on the calf there.

Alex, the transfer-listed Brazil defender who was close to moving to QPR last week, is now expected to join the former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti at Paris St Germain with talks on-going between the clubs. The 29-year-old had been reluctant to move to Loftus Road despite being marginalised at Stamford Bridge, but has expressed a willingness to move to the French club, a rising powerhouse in European football backed by Qatari Sports Investments.