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Premier League Previews: Lampard back for Blues

Frank Lampard is expected to be fit for leaders Chelsea when they face Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Lampard missed England's win in Germany on Wednesday with sore ribs. Joe Cole is also back in the squad but striker Didier Drogba begins a three-match ban.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is also fit again after recovering from a calf strain that kept him out against West Bromwich Albion last week.

"I didn't receive Deco, Jose Bosingwa or Paulo Ferreira because they arrived from Brazil at 6pm (on Thursday). After 15 hours flying it's impossible to train," he told Chelsea's website.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard has not recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of England's win in Germany in midweek. "He is improving but it is still too soon for this weekend," boss Rafael Benitez told the club's website ahead of the home game with Fulham.

Rio Ferdinand is also extremely doubtful with a back injury but striker Wayne Rooney will return after missing last week's 5-0 defeat of Stoke City.