Lampard boost

Chelsea are confident Frank Lampard will sign a contract extension this summer despite reports that he is considering walking out on the club.

The England midfielder has been angered by Chelsea's refusal to offer him wages matching those of the club's best-paid players such as Juan Veron and Hernan Crespo, who are on around £100,000 a week, and contract talks stalled last month.

Lampard's agent Steve Kutner claims he has attracted interest from Internazionale and Juventus, and added: "The way things stand Frank doesn't feel that he will be able to stay. All he wants is parity with the club's best-paid players but Chelsea aren't prepared to give him that."

But Chelsea will not risk losing their most consistent midfielder and Lampard will be offered a vastly-improved contract in the next few weeks, but not until the club's new manager, expected to be Porto boss Jose Mourinho, has been appointed.

A Chelsea insider said: "We're confident Frank will sign a new deal but no new contracts will be offered until the managerial position has been resolved. Frank has had a magnificent season and has no need to worry - Roman Abramovich is not shy about rewarding his players."

Lampard, now on £50,000 a week, wants his new contract resolved before going to Euro 2004 with England but he may have to wait until later in the summer.

Meanwhile, Claudio Ranieri's future could be resolved as early as next week following the European Cup Final.