Frank Lampard contract: Manuel Pellegrini open to extending Manchester City loan deal for New York City FC midfielder

Lampard scored his first goal for City in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea

Frank Lampard (Getty Images)

Fresh from scoring a dramatic equaliser against his former team Chelsea, Frank Lampard could extend his loan deal with Manchester City until February, revealed Manuel Pellegrini.

The 36-year-old English midfielder joined new Major League Soccer franchise New York City FC in the summer after his Chelsea contract expired, bring an end to his 13-year career at Stamford Bridge.

However, Lampard was not absent from the Premier League for long, as he agreed a loan deal until the end of the year with the reigning Premier League champions, and he made his first start for his new club in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal 10 days ago.

Lampard appeared short on match fitness against the Gunners and was hauled off at half-time, with Manuel Pellegrini choosing to replace him with Yaya Toure for the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich and the visit of Chelsea on Sunday.

Pellegrini was asked whether Lampard would be staying for an extra month, with the MLS season not due to begin until March.

I can’t answer about that in this moment," the Chilean said when speaking ahead of the Capital One Cup clash against Sheffield Wednesday. "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 is happening and we will make a decision then."

He would come on with 13 minutes to play at the Etihad, and score a crucial equaliser that salvaged a point for City against the club that remains close to his heart – his decision not to celebrate was clear evidence of his feeling towards the Blues.

However, Lampard could come back to haunt Chelsea once again, as any potential loan extension means he would be available to Pellegrini when City travel south to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 31st January.