Frank Lampard is expected to start for Chelsea in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Liverpool on Wednesday after being granted compassionate leave following the death of his mother.

Pat Lampard died of pneumonia last Thursday and her son was allowed to miss the 2-1 Premier League victory over Manchester United on Saturday to spend time with his family.

But he returned to training on Sunday, and is expected to start at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to build on the John Arne Riise own goal that levelled the first leg 1-1 and gave them a potentially crucial away goal.

Lampard's return means John Obi Mikel will drop out of the XI that started the game against United, with Michael Essien likely to take over in the anchor role.

The Ghanaian missed the Anfield leg through suspension but was outstanding at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Chelsea boss Avram Grant has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, meaning first-choice front three Joe Cole, Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba should start.

With Champions League qualification for next season now guaranteed, Grant's opposite number Rafael Benitez was able to rest a whole host of first team players for Liverpool's 2-2 draw at Birmingham on Saturday.

Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa should all come back into the side.

The only likely starters to play a major role at St Andrew's were goalkeeper Jose Reina and left-back John Arne Riise, who came off after an hour.

The Norwegian had to endure some unforgiving back page headlines after his last-minute howler at Anfield handed Chelsea the initiative in the tie, but plays due to Fabio Aurelio's groin injury.

With Liverpool's first-choice XI appearing to pick itself in recent weeks, Benitez's only dilemma surrounds who to select alongside Carragher at centre-half.

Sami Hyypia had played in all his side's Champions League games this season until he was dropped for the first leg in favour of Martin Skrtel.

Tom Williams / Eurosport