Chelsea star Lampard set to miss title decider against Manchester United following death of his mother

Just hours after helping Chelsea to a combative draw at Liverpool, Lampard had returned to the bedside of his mother Pat. However, her health suddenly worsened and she passed away.

Pat was admitted to hospital 10 days ago when she was diagnosed to be suffering from pneumonia, but her condition had appeared to improve in recent days.

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Lampard, who missed last week's games against Wigan and Everton to be with her, felt positive enough to return to training on Sunday and then declared himself available for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first-leg at Anfield.

He played the entire game, helping Chelsea to fight back from behind and clinch a 1-1 draw, which leaves them well-placed to reach their first European Cup final.

A goalless draw or any sort of win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday will be enough to reach the final in Moscow on May 21 against either Manchester United or Barcelona.

Before then, Chelsea face the all-important Barclays Premier League game at the Bridge against leaders United on Saturday at noon.

Three points would renew Chelsea's hopes of winning the title but Lampard's attention will be elsewhere after the devastating news.

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His inclusion in the squad for second leg of the Champions League semi-final is also now, obviously, in doubt.

Lampard had spoken with typical candour about the toughest week of his life and admitted his mum would not have wanted him to miss such an important game on her behalf.

"She follows me up and down the country so, knowing her, she would've had a right go at me for not playing this game," he said. "So that was in the back of my mind."

Sadly, the mood changed yesterday when Pat's condition deteriorated. Lampard has previously spoken of how close he is to his mother and called himself a "real mummy's boy".

He said: "We're very similar. Quite sensitive, quite shy. Mum's been the one who shaped me as a person — how to treat people, manners, that kind of thing.

"She's brilliant and was always there for me and my two sisters, whatever we wanted to do."

Manager Avram Grant will exert no pressure on Lampard to return and help the team through two vital games.

In selection terms, the Chelsea boss has Michael Essien back as a straightforward replacement for Lampard after he missed the draw at Anfield through suspension. Essien was outstanding in midfield against both Wigan and Everton last week, when Lampard was absent.

Ideally, Grant may like to give some players a breather before next week's semi-final but the game against United is so big that his flexibility will be limited.