Frank Lampard's Chelsea record bid on hold as he takes a well-earned rest - The Sun

RAFA BENITEZ is giving Frank Lampard a well-earned rest tonight.

But says it is only a matter of time before the midfielder, 34, is a Chelsea record-breaker.

Lampard scored his 199th Chelsea goal in Sunday's 4-0 FA Cup win against Brentford and is now just three shy of Bobby Tambling's 43-year club record.

But he has been left out of the squad for the Europa League clash with Sparta Prague — after a gruelling run of 20 games in two months without a break.

Boss Benitez insists he is just allowing Lamps to recharge his batteries for Sunday's titanic Premier League trip to Manchester City.

And while there is still no sign of a new contract on the horizon for Lampard, it is clear that he remains a key figure in Benitez's plans for the rest of this season at the very least.

Benitez said: "Frank will score more than four or five goals between now and the end of the season.

"What happens after that is not a question for me.

"For any player to get to 200 goals is a great achievement. For a mid-fielder to get there is especially remarkable. Frank will not score his 200th goal against Sparta Prague because he will not be in the squad.

"We have to manage the players a bit and we have more options available for this game.

"But I a'm sure that he will break the record and that will be fantastic for him and for everyone at the club."

Branislav Ivanovic has also been rested for tonight's tie while Demba Ba is cup-tied after playing for Newcastle in the Europa League.

Chelsea hold a 1-0 lead from last week's first leg in the Czech Republic and Benitez wants to finish the job off with the minimum of fuss tonight.

He says: "We have a massive game against Manchester City on Sunday and if we can beat them we will be even closer to second place.

"But first we have to beat Sparta Prague.

"We have won three games in a row and the fans will appreciate that. If we carry on winning, it will be easier for everyone."

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