Frank Lampard will return to Chelsea with Derby in the Carabao Cup (Picture: Getty)

Frank Lampard admits it will be an emotional occasion when he takes his Derby County side to his former club Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer will return to Stamford Bridge next month after his Championship promotion hopefuls upset the odds earlier this week, defeating Manchester United and his former boss Jose Mourinho in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

Lampard has made an encouraging start to his managerial career with Derby outside the play-off zone on goal difference, despite Saturday’s defeat at Bolton.

Reacting to the draw, Lampard said: ‘It will be very special to go back to Stamford Bridge. It was my home and my club for 13 years and the opportunity to go back and see the fans and the people behind the scenes is an incredible occasion for me.

Advertisement
Advertisement

‘It’s a club that took me in. I moved across London from a so-called rival and they took me in instantly.

‘I was fortunate enough to spend successful years there and it was a family. It still feels that way but the club moves on.’

Frank Lampard captained Chelsea on the night they won the Champions League (Picture: Getty)
Frank Lampard also scored Chelsea’s winning goal in the 2009 FA Cup final (Picture: Getty)

On the possibility of causing another upset, he added: ‘It’s a nice occasion for me. It’s a nice story and nice emotions around it personally, but the great test is for the players.

‘We came through the Manchester United game so well with a mixture of the younger players and the experienced players and to go and perform at Old Trafford like we did is a credit to them.

‘It’s a similar occasion for them to go to Stamford Bridge and give a good account of ourselves whatever the result may be.

‘It’s a very tough game for us to win again, but I think the test for the players against such a fantastic team is going to be a great one for them.’

Advertisement
Advertisement