Frank Lampard Injury Concern Underlines Need to Keep James Milner at Man City

Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard left during the first half of the club’s 2-0 friendly win over Hamburg in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday after feeling pain in a muscle during the warm-up, according to David McDonnell of the Mirror.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini hopes to have him fit and available for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round match with Middlesbrough at the Etihad, but the severity of the injury is unclear at this stage.

With City then facing a trip to Stamford Bridge for an all-important match with Chelsea on January 31, Pellegrini will be desperate to have Lampard fit.

Afterwards, Pellegrini said: “Frank was injured in the warm-up. He felt some problem in his muscle but I don’t think it will be very serious. We took him off just as a precaution.

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“I hope that he will be fit, not only for Chelsea, but for the FA Cup [against Middlesbrough]. It was just a small problem, but he asked to try to play. After that, he told us it was impossible, but I don’t think that it will be a very important injury, and we hope that we can have him for Saturday.”

Lampard has proven to be an excellent addition to the City squad this season, often used somewhat sparingly but with maximum impact.

Crucial goals against Chelsea, Hull City, Leicester City and Sunderland have been the icing on the cake for Lampard, who has impressed with his technical quality and leadership.

It’s an injury which puts James Milner’s contract wrangle into even sharper focus, with the England man stalling on a new deal. His current contract expires in the summer when he will be free to negotiate with other clubs.

Stuart James of the Guardian believes the club have offered a new deal, but with an agreement still not reached, the chances of him departing are increasing. Arsenal and Liverpool appear the most likely destinations, should he decide a move elsewhere would be beneficial.

It’s a complex situation which appears likely to drive a wedge between Milner and sections of the City support.

Last season, Milner was underused, with Pellegrini, new to the country, seemingly unsure as to his qualities. Milner, according to Daniel Taylor of the Guardian, looked set to leave last summer.

It appeared concerns over his playing time were the driving force behind his unrest, yet this season he has become a much more valued member of the side, and City fans now feel he has a duty to sign an extension.

However, Milner remains a utility payer, rather than the central midfield specialist he sees himself as, and the likelihood is he could play in that position regularly at other top sides.

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When every member of Pellegrini’s squad are fit, is Milner a guaranteed starter? It seems doubtful, and he will be fully aware of that as he weighs up his options ahead of what is likely to be his last big move.

Some feel he has used the club, suggesting he wants more playing time in order to buy himself time as he runs his contract down, only to then leave on a free, as seems increasingly certain.

However, it’s far more likely that, despite his new importance to the squad, he feels he can go elsewhere and stake a claim at becoming England’s first-choice central midfielder. With Steven Gerrard and Lampard both calling time on their international careers in 2014, Milner probably sees an opportunity to become a regular for his country, something which has eluded him thus far.

Milner’s qualities are clear: He’s hardworking, skilful, malleable and incredibly fit and athletic. He’s proven his worth for City this season. The club will be desperate to keep him, and talks are likely to continue, but it seems perfectly logical from the player’s perspective that he is considering his options very carefully.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard