MIDFIELDER FRANK LAMPARD is facing renewed speculation about his career, just weeks after suggestions that his time with the England squad could be coming to a close.

The 33-year-old was an unused substitute during Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Swansea on Saturday and left the bench without speaking to manager André Villas-Boas when Josh McEachran was chosen to replace Raul Meireles in the 83rd minute of the match, according to the Mail on Sunday.

However, Villas-Boas was surprised when questioned about his player’s actions afterwards, insisting that Lampard is still very much part of his plans at Stamford Bridge. He said:

“I don’t know but this is nothing to speculate about. They are team players and the players want the team to perform, and Frank is like that.

“He is a fantastic player, a magnificent player and soon he will be back to the team, sooner than you expect.”

The Blues boss added: “The decisions today were mainly based on the fact we played 120 minutes (in the Carling Cup) on Wednesday and these players were fresh, apart from John Terry and Petr Cech.

“In a tight calendar like we have, it’s important to have squad rotation.”

Lampard has been left out of three of the club’s last four line-ups and was taken off at half-time during his team’s defeat at Old Trafford – his most recent starting appearance.

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