Frank Lampard: This is not the time to hide

Chelsea face Sir Alex Ferguson's side trailing their rivals by a massive 15 points in the League having won just five of their last 14 matches.

The match was originally scheduled to be played just before Christmas only for it to be postponed because of snow.

Lampard was still struggling with his fitness back then after a four-month lay-off with a groin and hernia injury, but is starting to feel back to his best now after a run of six games in a row.

Chelsea are looking for their first League win since Fernando Torres joined for a club record £50million from Liverpool in January, but Lampard reveals everyone is desperate to beat United and give their season a much needed boost.

He said: "The mood is good. Whether we have the best performance or not, it is important to get the result and then we can take it into the next games.

"There is only one way out of a position when you're not playing so well and that's hard work.

"It might not mean the most glorious performances at times but to turn that corner you have to work very hard. That's the message and it is very important we all do that.

"No one is happy we're not doing well but it is very important we don't sulk and go off in corners. It is very important that we take the situation by the scruff of the neck.

"I am happy to be playing games regularly again. The last few matches I have started to feel completely free of the groin issue.

"I hate missing games and I was a bit frustrated that there was no game at the weekend, that's just the way I am. I always feel better about myself when I get in a rhythm and play regularly."

Skipper John Terry agreed with his England team-mate that the last few months have been frustrating but tonight is an opportunity to address their inconsistent form.

He said: "It has been a difficult not only for myself as captain but for the players we have and the fans. To have had the success we have for the last three or four years, plus starting the season really well after coming off the Double last year, to where we are now is not acceptable.

"We just need to get that hunger and desire to win again. I'm not saying that's what has been missing but we have to think back to winning and lifting those trophies which is what it's all about for all of the players."

Didier Drogba is expected to be named on the substitutes' bench for the third time in the last four games as coach Carlo Ancelotti continues to prefer Nicolas Anelka over him as Torres's strike partner.

The Italian admits he is also set to continue with the 4-4-2 formation which worked so well against FC Copenhagen last week.

He said: "I don't know which shape and which players we'll use, but it could be a good idea to play with the same shape as in Copenhagen. With that shape we can have less possession of the ball, but can use the speed of the strikers and get the ball forward."

Ashley Cole will be in the starting line-up despite being reprimanded by both the club and his manager for taking an air gun to their training ground in Cobham and accidentally shooting intern Tom Cowan.

The left-back has apologised to the 21-year-old and his manager will stand by him, even though Cole is believed to have been fined two weeks' wages.

Ancelotti said: "What do we have to do now - kill him [Cole]? No. We have to support him. It would be very different if he had not said sorry. We are disappointed for the guy who was involved and was a victim."