Wolves’ chances of forcing an upset at Premier League leaders Chelsea have been boosted by news that Frank Lampard is out for around eight weeks.

The midfielder injured his left thigh in training with the England squad yesterday for tomorrow’s friendly against Brazil in Qatar and flew back to England.

But his probable absence until Christmas will drive a potential blow into Chelsea’s title ambitions and puts him definitely out of the Stamford Bridge clash a week on Saturday.

The key playmaker is one of several Chelsea casualties, with Ashley Cole out with a fractured tibia and Jose Bosingwa absent with a knee injury.

Cole is expected to be return for the November 29 clash with Arsenal, while Bosingwa has been ruled out for three months after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

But boss Carlos Ancellotti is boosted by the return of striker Didier Drogba for the visit of Wolves.

The forward had been ruled out of Ivory Coast’s World Cup qualifier against Guinea tomorrow, after sustaining a chest injury in a nasty clash with Manchester United defender Jonny Evans last Sunday.

But Chelsea are optimistic the striker will be available for the visit of Mick McCarthy’s side on November 21. Drogba is first expected to play in Ivory Coast’s friendly against Germany next Wednesday.