Chelsea midfielder Lampard back in training ahead of Liverpool clash

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But it does not definitely mean he will be part of Chelsea's squad who travel to Liverpool for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg.

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Manager Avram Grant will leave the final decision with Lampard, while Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can expect a tap on the shoulder from his boss Rafa Benitez about his fitness ahead of the Anfield clash. Gerrard hopes to play Drobga also trained yesterday, although not fully.

Steven Gerrard can expect a tap on the shoulder from Rafa Benitez as the Liverpool manager seeks the truth about his captain's fitness ahead of the Anfield clash.

Gerrard hopes to play despite a neck injury sustained as he planted a succession of powerful headers into the net during a training routine last week.

"He scored four or five with his head and I told the other players to start looking for other team-mates because every cross went to him," said Benitez, as he arched his back to mime a good solid header.

"After four or five, he felt his neck."

The Liverpool boss is wary of potential complications with any neck injury. But a joking Benitez was able to make light of Gerrard's problem, which emphasised the relaxed mood in the Anfield dressing room at a time of boardroom chaos.

"Steven wanted to play at Fulham but he was only able to look to the right, so I told him he could only play as a left winger," said Benitez. "Now we will have to see if he can turn his head around and look the other way.

"I know he will say he wants to play, but there's an easy way to find out if he's fit. He will walk together with the doctor and I will come up behind and tap him on the left shoulder.

"If he can turn to face me without any pain, we will know he can play."

Grant showered Gerrard with praise ahead of the semi-final first leg and offered him a job.

"For me he is the Player Of The Year in England and maybe Europe because of his influence on his team," said Grant. "And he is a nice guy, an example for many people.

"Unfortunately he plays against me, not with me, but he is still my favourite player. If you can bring him to me, I will be happy."