Fit-again Frank Lampard set to start against Man United
Chelsea have missed free-scoring Lampard bursting forward from the midfield
Frank Lampard is set to start a match for the first time since August when champions Chelsea host Premier League leaders Manchester United on Sunday.
The England midfielder, who has been battling to return from a nagging hernia problem, came through a 60-minute practice match on Thursday.
Lampard, 32, made a brief substitute appearance against Tottenham on Sunday.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti said Lampard would start against United providing there he has no reaction to the training game.
The midfielder scored in the match which took place at Chelsea's Cobham training ground, involving players from the club's reserve and youth teams.
England international Lampard played the final 12 minutes at White Hart Lane, and his full return from injury should provide a huge boost to Chelsea, who are on their worst run in the league for more than a decade after failing to win any of their last five games.
They have slipped from first to fourth and are three points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's team, having played a game more.
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Can Lampard get Chelsea going?
Ancelotti this week highlighted that injury and suspension to the likes of Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Alex has been a key factor behind his first really tough spell since being appointed 18 months ago.
The absence of Lampard - whose last start was a 2-0 win over Stoke on 28 August - has forced Ancelotti to use Brazilian summer signing Ramires, who has struggled to make a significant impact so far.
After one outstanding performance against Arsenal in October, the 23-year-old also impressed at Tottenham on Sunday and believes he is starting to demonstrate why Chelsea paid a a reported £18.3m for his services.
"I feel good, I feel better all the time and I think I am more adapted than I was before, and starting to show the football I played at my previous clubs," he told the club's website.
"I am working harder and harder to show that I am more at home in England."
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