Frank Lampard wants to hand Patrick Vieira a huge boost ahead of the final game of the MLS regular season.
NYCFC’s second top-scorer has confirmed that he’s hoping to be back in contention for Sunday’s showdown with Columbus Crew SC following the thigh strain which has seen him sit out the last three matches.
With the playoffs looming, Lampard is eager to return to the field to help his teammates sure up second spot and a place in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Vieira’s men know that a win will be enough to earn a bye and avoid the Knockout Rounds.
Lampard told NYCFC.com: “I feel good, I’ve been training well over the last two weeks and building up. I’m really looking forward to getting back in.
“It’s an important game for us, generally. We want to secure second place so if I can work hard this week, force myself into contention and then try and help us to get that second place and then into the playoffs.”
Read: Is Patrick Vieira the League’s Best-Dressed Coach?
Frank’s last minutes came in the 2-2 draw with FC Dallas a month ago.
Following defeat last time out on the road in Washington, the English midfielder wants the team to demonstrate the character which has seen them recover from setbacks throughout the 2016 campaign.
“We’re preparing as we always do and we’re working hard,” Frank reflected.
“One of the good things about this season is that when we’ve had a bad result, we’ve generally reacted and done very well.
“We’ve always worked hard. There’s a lot of focus and a lot of desire.”
NYCFC will be hosting Fan Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, a series of events in around our home to thank you, the fans, for your incredible support all season long.
Frank also wants to express his gratitude with the kind of performance and result which will send the team into the Playoffs on a high.
“It’s not only important because we’ve got the chance to finish in second place in the Conference but it’s our final game of the regular season and we want to put in a good performance in front of our own supporters in our home stadium.
“We want to give a good performance, show the fans what we can do, get the result and then take that into the playoffs so we can go as far as we can.”
