Frank Lampard will today hand Chelsea a major boost and declare himself ready to play in the Champions League semi-final first leg at Liverpool tomorrow night.

Lampard has been unavailable since he pulled out of the game against Wigan last week after hearing of the seriousness of his mother's illness.

It was feared the England international would still not be ready to return to action, but it is understood that his mother's pneumonia has improved enough for him to play at Anfield.

The midfielder, at the centre of fresh speculation about his future today with suggestions that he and Didier Drogba will be joining Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan next season, has already taken part in his first training session and has told close friends that he wants to play.

Manager Avram Grant is determined not to put Lampard under any pressure when it comes to making the final decision, but he will be relieved if the midfielder plays because he is already without the suspended Michael Essien.

Michael Ballack and Drogba are still in a race against time to prove their fitness, however, due to hamstring and knee injuries, respectively.

The duo have taken part in some light training and will travel with the squad to Liverpool. Ballack appears to be closer to being passed fit and is also adamant that he wants to play.

Drogba has been particularly unsettled at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Mourinho last autumn and may well be leaving in the summer.

It is believed that the Portuguese former manager of the Blues has struck a deal to take over at the San Siro next season. But the Italian champions, currently top of Serie A, have not made an official announcement though their exit from the Champions League at the hands of Liverpool in the last round has not pleased president Massimo Moratti.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has injury worries of his own with captain Steven Gerrard struggling with a neck injury. He missed the club's 2-0 win at Fulham, but Benitez was making light of the situation yesterday. He said: "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. 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."

Gerrard may have extra motivation to prove himself after Grant admitted he would like him in his Chelsea squad.

Grant said: "For me he is the player of the year in England and maybe Europe.

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