Chelsea’s forgotten man Danny Drinkwater could make miraculous comeback in Champions League campaign after Blues’ transfer ban

FRANK LAMPARD could bring forgotten man Danny Drinkwater in from the cold at Chelsea.

The current Derby boss is expected to take charge at Stamford Bridge in the next couple of days after the Championship side gave him permission to begin talks.

Chelsea have been after a new coach following the departure of Maurizio Sarri to Juventus.

Lampard will be under no illusions at the difficulty of task in hand with his former club facing a two-window transfer ban.

And while he will be able to play his young stars in the Prem, his Champions League squad will prove a greater challenge.

That is because Uefa rules claim that out of 25 players registered for the competition, eight have to be trained by clubs of the same league between the ages of 15 and 21.

Four of those also have to come from the club’s own youth system.

And that could give midfielder Drinkwater the perfect chance to finally feature for the first time since the Community Shield final last August.

The 29-year-old, a title-winner with Leicester, signed for the Blues for £35million in 2017 but didn’t make one appearance last season after being frozen out under Sarri.

Young stars such as Mason Mount and Reece James will also be given the opportunity to shine.

Lampard is braced to bring a host of old Chelsea pals with him to the club, including Michael Ballack and Jody Morris.