Hernia procedures, as it turns out, are no joke.
The recovery for one Super Frank Lampard continues on, with the influential midfielder set to miss a further two weeks - at least.
Super Frank. Sad.
This latest development means Lampard not only will be unavailable for our midweek Champions League hosting of Marseille, but, more importantly, will also miss our crucial date with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on the weekend. It's likely he'll be absent when the Three Lions host Montenegro in a Euro 2012 qualifier at New Wembley on 12 October before returning - hopefully - for the Premier League match against Aston Villa on 16 October.
"He can't play on Tuesday," King Carlo said in his CL press conference on Monday. "We need to have more time than we expected for his rest. In a few days there will be an international break and he will be ready for the first game after the break. He didn't play with us so I don't think he is able to play for the national team."
Heavy blow this. Super Frank's creative thrust was missed in the defeat to Manchester City on Saturday - and obviously will be missed going forward over the next couple of weeks. How the midfield, already without Yossi Benayoun, responds is anyone's guess. Ramires, unfortunately for him, needs to grow into his new role FAST.
Nevertheless, we should be fine. Remember, we were theoretically only a post and a clinical counter away from taking the points at Eastlands.
Get well soon, Frank.