But Lampard will be available at Sunderland on Saturday and it is clear Benítez sees him as crucial to his future plans.
"At least one important player is back because we need character, experience and numbers," he said. "Frank is not scared when we are in possession so he can find players between the lines, can get into the box and score goals. He is a different midfielder to the others. Some of them can work, some can pass, some can do a little bit of everything. Frank, when he is in form, can make a difference.
"I think he has the ability and he can be important at set pieces as he has good delivery. He will not be a box-to-box like 10 years ago but he will be more important when we are in possession as he understands the game and what we have to do."
Daniel Sturridge, who has been out with a hamstring injury, is not fit enough to face Sunderland on Saturday but may still travel to Japan. However Benítez admits he may need an extra striker when the January transfer window opens.
"It is not just the strikers it is every position. In a top side you have to keep an eye on every position and all good players. We will see what we can do. At the moment with Sturridge injured it is more difficult to find different solutions."
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