Lampard faces fitness battle to make Barcelona clash

FRANK LAMPARD is facing a major battle to be fit for Chelsea’s European showdown in Barcelona.

Lampard had a scan yesterday on the injured hamstring which forced him to withdraw from the England squad ahead of the friendly against Uruguay.

The results show he is a serious doubt for Saturday’s Premiership trip to West Brom, but Lampard and his manager, Jose Mourinho, will not abandon hope of making the Champions League clash in the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

Lampard damaged his hamstring in the first-leg defeat by Barcelona at Stamford Bridge last week but played on because the Blues were down to 10 men after Asier del Horno’s red card.

He then played and scored against Portsmouth on Saturday, but felt a tightness in the muscle during an England training session yesterday and was immediately sent back to his club.

Chelsea must overturn a 2-1 deficit from the home leg if they are to reach the last eight of the Champions League.

That task will become even greater without Lampard. Michael Essien and Del Horno will both be suspended against Barcelona. Mourinho is looking at a likely midfield trio of Claude Makelele, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Maniche, if Lampard fails to make it.

Geremi or Joe Cole could be switched to a central role but Mourinho is not keen to throw young Lassana Diarra into the heat of the battle in the Nou Camp.

Diarra, aged 20, has started FA Cup games against Huddersfield and Colchester and played three times from the bench since joining the Blues from Le Havre.