Frank Lampard extends Manchester City loan deal

The former Chelsea superstar - who scored against his old club in a 1-1 draw at the weekend - will now remain at the Etihad until February before beginning his MLS career.

By extending his loan stay with the Premier League champions beyond the original date of the end of 2014, Lampard will now potentially be able to face his old club once again: the two sides meet again in the league on January 31st.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that a further decision on Lampard will be taken in January, but with the MLS season not starting until March there seems little reason not to keep him in the squad and in shape - therefore putting the midfielder in line for an emotional return to Stamford Bridge.

Pellegrini told a news conference: "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 happens here and make a decision. It is not a problem in this moment.

"It (his goal) was important because it was the goal that allowed us not to lose that match."

Lampard signed for the newly-created MLS side New York City FC in the summer after being released by the Blues - and Manchester City, who share the same Abu Dhabi-based owners as New York, quickly clinched a loan agreement.

The wealth of talent at City's disposal always made an appearance against his former club seem unlikely, however - but the 36-year-old was brought on during Sunday's match for just his second appearance of the season, and he scored a crucial equaliser.

Lampard refused to celebrate the goal against a side with whom he won every honour in the club game over the course of a decade.