JT: Devastated an understatement

JT: Devastated an understatement

Published Jan. 4, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

Peterborough will be without in-form striker Dwight Gayle when they host Norwich in the third round of the FA Cup.

Gayle has scored seven goals in nine appearances for Posh since arriving on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge but the 22-year-old is cup-tied having played in the Daggers' first round defeat to Bournemouth at the start of November.

Boss Darren Ferguson will be forced to make two further changes to the team that started the Championship win over Barnsley on New Year's Day.

Gavin Tomlin was allowed to play in that game despite being sent off in the defeat at Bristol City as Posh appealed against the red card. However, the appeal has failed and the forward will now begin a three-match suspension.

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Defender Gaby Zakuani has since left to link up with the DR Congo squad ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Declan Rudd is set to get his chance in goal as Norwich manager Chris Hughton prepares to ring the changes.

Norwich are without injured strikers Grant Holt (hamstring) and Steve Morison (thigh), plus defender Steven Whittaker (hip).

Midfielder Andrew Surman (knee) is back training but unlikely to feature, while Jonny Howson has recovered from a knock suffered against West Ham.

Bradley Johnson is available again after suspension.

Lampard is out of contract at the end of the season and there has been no sign of the Blues offering him a new deal.

On Friday morning club captain Terry posted a picture of him and Lampard holding the FA Cup on his Instagram account accompanied by the comment: "Devastated is an understatement. We should retire the number 8 shirt in honour of Lamps. #theheartbeat #hero #legend #hero #goalmachine #friend #ktbffh (keep the blue flag flying high) #cfc #chelsea."

Terry was reacting to quotes attributed to Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, in the Italian media in which he reportedly said the midfielder would definitely be leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.

Kutner has since denied giving any such interview.

However, barring a dramatic U-turn by Chelsea, Lampard will have to find himself a new club next season.

He has most recently been linked with a move to Italy, with either Lazio or Inter Milan, while there have been constant rumours of a switch to Major League Soccer or a club in Asia.

Lampard last month appeared resigned to leaving Chelsea, saying: "Maybe things don't last forever."

The club's stance has upset and baffled many supporters for whom Lampard is one of the greatest players ever to pull on the jersey.

Recent matches have seen them urge the board to "Sign him up", the 34-year-old responding by scoring three times in his last four games.

Those goals have taken him to within one of Kerry Dixon on the club's all-time list, with 192 in total, 10 adrift of record scorer Bobby Tambling.

Lampard is also closing in on third place on Chelsea's list of highest appearance makers.

He is one of the most successful players in the Blues' history, having captained the side to Champions League glory last season, as well as winning three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups.

He did endure a injury-hit 2012 but ended the year in prime form.

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