Injured Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov has rejected fears he will need surgery to cure a problem with his right knee.

Zhirkov, who joined Chelsea in the summer for £18million from CSKA Moscow, has missed the start of the Barclays League campaign because of a knee injury aggravated on the club's pre-season tour of America.

The Russia winger, 26 today, hopes to return to training in the next few days but he is unlikely to be in contention for a return to competitive action until Chelsea's clash with Burnley on August 29.

But in the meantime the midfielder has scoffed at reports back home that he would need an operation to cure his problem.

"I don't know who spread these rumours, but they don't correspond to reality," said Zhirkov.

"My condition has improved and the doctors say that in two or three days I will be able to return to training, although not fully. I'll work on an individual programme.

"I was feeling pain and noticeably limping when running, but now that's behind me. I just need to tone up the leg."

Zhirkov's injury worsened after his appearance for Chelsea against AC Milan on the club's pre-season US tour.

Chelsea have started superbly without Zhirkov - beating Hull and Sunderland to give new coach Carlo Ancelotti an unbeaten start to his managerial career in England.

Their latest success, a 3-1 victory at the Stadium of Light over Sunderland, saw England midfielder Frank Lampard notch up another goalscoring landmark.

Lampard's 61st-minute penalty put him level with the 132 goals scored by Jimmy Greaves during his four years at the club.

The goal made him the fifth-equal highest scorer in the Blues history but while Lampard is delighted with personal achievements, he puts more emphasis on team success.

"I'm delighted with that," said Lampard. "Jimmy is a goalscoring legend and I'm sure he did it in a lot less games than I did.

"I'm very pleased to be up there with him and just want to keep on scoring goals for Chelsea, especially important ones that help us win games.

"Personal achievements are nice, but not as important as silverware. When you look back on your career you look at what you won as part of a team. I'm much more proud of winning Premier Leagues and FA Cups with Chelsea.

"Although the records I've gained and am getting now was something I never thought of when I joined Chelsea."

Sunderland had shocked Chelsea when Darren Bent put the Black Cats in front but Chelsea stormed back in the second-half to win 3-1.

Lampard acknowledged the west London side struggled to find their best form in the opening 45 minutes but played some scintillating stuff after the break.

"We lacked a little bit of the killer touch in the first half but in the second we certainly had that," said Lampard.

"It was as good a performance from an away team for a while because we moved the ball and created chances. We were fantastic."

Another player to make his mark on the score sheet was the rejuvenated Deco who revealed he had rejected other offers this summer to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Deco failed to make his mark last season after joining from Barcelona but the Portugal international blames his poor year on a succession of injuries.

"Last season was the worst season of my career because I never had so many injuries before," said Deco.

"This season things can be different. I know I am well and fit and I can play. I want to help the team and I think the coach trusts me.

"I have a contract and they respect me here - the fans, the people in the club and the new coach.

"I had other offers but I never said that I want to go.

"I just said the last season was difficult and I wouldn't like this one to be like the last one - but I talked with the club and the coach and the first time he said he wanted to keep me in the squad, I said okay, I want to stay."