Chelsea are prepared to say 'goodbye' to Frank Lampard. The Sunday Mirror says Chelsea will honour the remaining 18 months of Frank Lampard's contract - but won't stand in his way if he wants to quit Stamford Bridge before then.

Although it's unlikely Lampard will leave in the January transfer window, a summer exit appears more likely with Chelsea adamant they have no plans to extend his current contract.

The England midfielder has ­become increasingly frustrated as Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas ­prefers to use him as an impact ­player coming off the bench for big games rather than guaranteeing him first-team football.

The 33-year-old midfielder has maintained that he only finds and stays in his best form when he's ­playing regularly.

Lampard has been the subject of intense speculation in recent days over a shock move to Manchester United.