Manuel Pellegrini hopes Frank Lampard will be fit for Middlesbrough clash

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has claimed that Frank Lampard's latest injury is not serious and that he may be fit to take part in this weekend's FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough.

The ex-Chelsea talisman limped off during the Citizens' 2-0 friendly victory over German outfit Hamburg in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Pellegrini told reporters at a press conference: "We took him off just as a precaution. I hope that he will be fit, not only for Chelsea, but for the FA Cup.

"It was just a small problem, but he asked to try to play. I don't think that it will be a very important injury and we hope that we can have him for Saturday."

The ex-England international has scored seven goals from his 21 appearances for the Premier League champions so far this season.