Source: PA
Ancelotti hopeful over Lampard fitness
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is pinning his hopes on the fitness of Frank Lampard following Michael Essien's red card in the 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Essien, who scored the decisive goal with a close-range header on the half-hour, is facing a three-match ban unless Chelsea can successfully appeal against the dismissal.
England midfielder Lampard, out of action with hernia and tendon problems since the end of August, has begun training with the squad once more and Ancelotti is confident he will be fit enough to play against Sunderland on Sunday.
"I think he'll be okay for Sunday," said Ancelotti. "He started to train two days ago with the team.
"He doesn't have a problem, is showing confidence. I hope he will be ready, not necessarily to play for 90 minutes but just to be involved in the squad.
"If he's okay, he can start. I don't think he will be able to play 90 minutes, but he can play part of the game - he can do that."
