Juan Mata believes that teammate Frank Lampard will force his way back into the Chelsea starting lineup.

England international Lampard has been dropped to the bench on several occasions this season, leading some to question whether he has a future at Stamford Bridge.

However, summer signing Mata has backed Lampard to remain with the club.

"Lampard is a legend here, a legend who keeps on providing a lot of good to the club," said the Spaniard. "He is a great presence to have in the dressing room and, for me, he is a standard-bearer for the entire world of football.

"I have only known him a few months but he is a great guy and he has been very accommodating to all the new players coming in.

"He still has a lot to give. He will score a lot of goals and play a lot of games this season, I'm sure."

Lampard came off the bench last night to score the winning goal against Manchester City.