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August 14th: Chelsea start the season with Frank Lampard fully fit. The Blues cruise to a 6-0 Win against West Bromwich Albion.
August 28th: Lampard starts in 2-0 win against Stoke City. The midfielder misses a penalty and is substituted early, looking in serious pain throughout the game. Chelsea announce that Lampard will have surgery for a hernia and will be unavailable for England duty during the international break, but expect him to return to the Chelsea side within two weeks.
I idly tease my fiancee and resident Frank Lampard fangirl with the immortal line 'It would be funny if he were out for a long time just to see your reaction'.
September 10th: Frank Lampard ruled out for the West Ham game in a precautionary move.
"Lampard after surgery did very well I think because in seven days he was able to train but obviously we want to give him more time to recover 100 percent."
-Carlo Ancelotti
September 13th: Lampard is said to be unavailable for Chelsea's trip to Slovakia, but 'may start' against Blackpool on the weekend.
September 19th: Frank Lampard does not start against Blackpool on the weekend.
September 25th: Nor the match against City.
September 27th: Lampard has resumed training with the team but is still in considerable pain. Chelsea tack on another two weeks to his recovery schedule. It's around this point that he tears a tendon in his groin.
October 14th: Frank Lampard ruled out for the match against Aston Villa, with the team citing a 'muscle pull' in his groin.
November 2nd: Lampard 'possibly fit' for the weekend clash against Liverpool.
November 6th: In an interview with The Sun, Lampard says:
November 7th: Lampard definitely not fit, Chelsea beaten 2-0 at Anfield thanks in large part to weakened central midfield.
November 10th: Carlo Ancelotti announces that Frank Lampard is fit and ready to start for Saturday's match against Sunderland, although not yet ready for the full game.
November 12th: Frank Lampard suffers abductor problem, out for another three weeks.