Speaking to The Sun, Lamps revealed: "You can wither, fade away and not be up for the challenge - or you stand up and fight for your place. That’s what everyone at the club has to do.

"Damien is being honest. You are always thinking that new players are going to come in and take your place, but that’s the challenge of being here. The really good players are the ones that rise to the challenge. Duffer is a world-class player.

"I'm sure there will be ways of moving the team around to accommodate them both. I know how he feels because I think Chelsea signed about eight midfielders last summer!

"Damien has been great this season and we've missed his creativity while he has been out injured. If he plays like he has been for us earlier in the season then he has nothing to worry about."

If Duff is worried for his first team place, I wonder what is going through the minds of the likes of Joe Cole, Jesper Gronkjaer and Geremi!