AFCON could see City extend Lampard loan

Frank Lampard’s short Manchester City career could be extended beyond January, with the club keen to ensure they have enough cover for Yaya Toure who could be on international duty during the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

The 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations would hold from January 17 to February 8 in Morocco and the Citizens midfielder Toure could compete in the tournament if Ivory Coast qualify.

While the Sky Blues have both Fernando and Fernandinho to call on, the Manchester Evening News has claimed the club is also considering extending Lampard’s six-month loan deal.

The 36-year-old is currently on loan at Melbourne City – another team owned by Manchester City and competing in the A-League in Australia.

However, the paper claims that City may now opt to extend the loan beyond the January deadline, with the club keen to ensure they are able to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League during a busy period in the football calendar.

And it means he could face former club Chelsea again when City visit Stamford Bridge on January 31.

It was expected that Lampard would join New York City – a club also owned by Sheikh Mansour – in January to prepare for their debut season in the MLS which starts in mid-March.

But City are ready to keep him until the end of February.

And boss Manuel Pellegrini refused to rule out an extension to Lampard’s stay at the Etihad.

“I can’t answer about that in this moment. Frank will stay until January because until January he doesn’t have anything to do in the United States because they are not working. In January, we will see what happens here and make a decision. It is not a problem in this moment.”

Lampard obviously showed his worth to the City hierarchy at the weekend, with a late and crucial equaliser against former club Chelsea at the Etihad on Sunday.