Frank is so impressed as Grant does it his way

• More Premier League news club by club

The midfielder was one of the players closest to the Portuguese and his departure last September cast more doubt over Lampard's future at the club as he heads towards the final year of his contract.

Scroll down for more

But the Israeli has matched the record of Mourinho in his early days while handling one of Chelsea's toughest seasons for years with injuries and absences.

Next month Grant could deliver his first trophy, the Carling Cup, and despite his thigh problems, Lampard has thrived.

The England international said: "He's done well. It's not easy to follow Mourinho, but he's done it in his own way and not tried to be anything he isn't.

"He has a different style - a calm style - and he talks to the players individually. It's impressive how quickly he's got us on a winning run.

"That's credit to him and all the coaches. He hasn't tried to change too much. When players are used to something-that has proven successful, it would be wrong to change everything."

Lampard is set to miss tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Wigan after tearing his thigh muscle again.

He admitted the frustration is getting to him, particularly with new England boss Fabio Capello to impress.

Lampard said: "With muscle injuries, you have to be very careful not to rush back too fast, what with all the important games and the Champions League knockout stage coming up - but I'm getting there.

"It's really annoying because Fabio Capello has said there is a clean slate for everyone. He's been getting around everywhere watching games and players, so this is really a time you want to be impressing him."

While Lampard has been on the sidelines, Claude Makelele has been pressed into action and will play his third game in eight days tomorrow.

It is a sign of the team's strength that they can turn to the 34-year-old when others might have to blood kids or accept a drop in standards, and his statistics are as good as ever.

He has contributed to 11 clean sheets in his 16 appearances this season and when he was handed the captain's armband at Everton on Wednesday, he was a star of the show.

Grant had planned to get the most out of Makelele by using him sparingly and has impressed how the player has reacted.

The manager said: "I think Makelele could even be getting better. He is a special guy. I told him at the beginning I didn't know how many games he would play but he had to be there when we needed him.

"And when we have, like at Valencia, at Everton and many others, he was there. He has a lot of experience and is good for the squad. Even when he doesn't play he is good to have around because he has a very good influence."

After lengthy contract negotiations last summer Makelele signed an extended deal until 2009. He could have gone to PSG but the Frenchman is delighted he stayed.

He said: "I think Chelsea now is my heart. I think it is one of the best clubs in the world now at everything - football, training ground, stadium, fans, the image it has in the world.

"The manager knows that I don't need to play all time and he has good young players - John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien - who need more time for playing."

Makelele will play despite not having completely recovered from his ear problems but Michael Ballack is expected to miss out due to a calf injury.