Lampard has long maintained that the rise to prominence of the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Reece James this season was nothing to do with the fact we couldn’t sign players in the summer, rather that the quartet were supremely talented and ready to make the step up.

It is a view he has reiterated as he considered the prospect of adding players to the squad next month.

‘The young players are here to stay, and the young players beneath that if they train well enough and show enough will get their opportunities,’ stressed Lampard.

‘That’s how I am here. If we are going to try and do something, it will be to improve the squad. I do think we’re slightly fixated on the young players and what might be. They’re all good players. My view on the balance of the squad is how can I improve it personnel wise.

‘It’s not considering age, it’s considering position, it’s considering the quality level we might bring in and will that improve us, and considering the attitude and personality of people we bring in, because I want people who want to come here, work hard and be successful at the club. That’s where the balance of it is really important for me.

‘The fact is we can’t do anything until January, so at the moment I’m very positive about what we have in front of us,’ added the boss.

‘I don’t see too far. Of course I’m always evaluating. Can we improve? Now we know [it’s been lifted] there will be conversations. We have a scouting department here, of course we do, we have people working on this all the time whether the ban is here or not.’

Lampard’s focus today is trained on Goodison Park and another three Premier League points up for grabs. Duncan Ferguson is in charge of our opponents Everton following Marco Silva’s dismissal on Thursday. Lampard came up against the fierce Scotsman many times during his playing days, even if he admits he tried to avoid any physical battles with him.

‘I stayed well away from him! I didn’t go and head balls in the box when big Dunc was around!

‘He was really effective, a very good player, great quality as well, scored a lot of goals in his career. I had huge respect for him.’

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