Chelsea to learn if transfer ban is overturned 'within days', says Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard says Chelsea are expecting to learn the verdict on their Fifa transfer ban appeal within days.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport are due to rule sometime this month on whether to uphold the club’s appeal over their two-window ban on signing players which, if successful, would leave them free to act in the January transfer window.

Chelsea were found guilty of breaching rules on deals involving young players and asked when he expected a final verdict, Lampard said: “Very soon, I believe. Days, I think.

“I haven’t heard anymore so I will wait and reserve judgement until we get judgement and see where we want to go from there.”

Chelsea host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday with John Terry set for his first return to Stamford Bridge since leaving the club in 2017 after making 717 appearances in a 22-year career at the club which saw him win 15 major trophies.

Lampard, who remains close friends with his former team-mate and faced Terry at Villa twice as Derby manager last season, is expecting an emotive occasion.

“There’s not much difference for me – I went up against him twice last year and we obviously get on very well,” he said. “I have huge respect for the work him and [Villa boss] Dean Smith have done there with Aston Villa.