The UK Government has announced plans for a limited number of supporters to begin returning to stadiums for elite sport events, including Premier League matches, from 2 December, dependent on the current Covid alert tier and corresponding restrictions in the local area.

Speaking after the victory over Rennes which secured our place in the Champions League knockout stages, Lampard discussed his excitement at the news and fears the changing rules for different parts of the country could produce an unfair advantage for some teams.

‘I think first and foremost we want fans back,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure exactly how the system will work, it’s something that needs to be discussed further, but what was really nice for me was the positive nature of the fact that there’s movement and something will happen if it feels safe.

‘That’s the most important thing because these are very uncertain times. So hopefully the level playing field remains, but we have some fans back and we move forward quickly.

‘I’m just happy with the news because there are a lot of things that have been disrupted in life recently, which are more important than football. But in football, just in terms of our jobs and playing in stadiums and wanting fans back for the atmosphere in football, what it means for the fans, it is becoming more and more apparent every game that we play. So, if safe, then of course we’re really happy.’