Frank Lampard begged manager Manuel Pellegrini to let him play in Manchester City’s mid-season friendly against Hamburg in Abu Dhabi, despite picking up an injury in warm-up.
Lampard was seen receiving treatment for a muscle injury before the game, but the 36-year-old asked his manager to let him play.
He was replaced in the 21st minute by Scott Sinclair, and by playing through his injury may have jeopardised his chances of appearing in City’s crucial Premier League clash against Chelsea on January 31.
Manager Pellegrini said: “It was just a small problem, but he asked to try to play. After that he told us it was impossible but I don’t think that it will be a very important injury.
“He felt some problem in his muscle but I don’t think it will be very serious. We took him off just as a precaution.
“I hope that he will be fit, not only for Chelsea, but for the FA Cup (against Middlesbrough on Saturday).”
Lampard has enjoyed something of a renaissance since moving to Manchester after Chelsea did not renew his contract at the end of last season.
The 36-year-old has scored seven goals this season for City, including winners against Leicester and Sunderland, and a famous late equaliser against his former club.
However, he may now miss a fairytale return to his beloved Stamford Bridge after playing through the pain in a non-competitive friendly.
The mid-season warm weather trip was a perfect opportunity for strikers Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero to sharpen their match fitness ahead of the title race run-in.
However it was Stevan Jovetic who reminded City fans of his quality, with Wilfried Bony still on Africa Cup of Nations, by latching on to youth team player George Evans’ pass and slipping the ball under the keeper.
Dzeko made it 2-0 16 minutes from time in front of 5,000 partisan fans to seal a convincing win for the Premier League champions.
They will now take on Middlesbrough in the FA Cup at the Etihad before travelling to London to play league leaders Chelsea.
Main image courtesy of Manchester City FC via YouTube, with thanks.
