England midfielder Lampard, 32, has not played for club or country since aggravating a hernia problem in August's 2-0 win against Stoke.

He underwent surgery last month and resumed training only to suffer a groin strain.

Lampard has missed Chelsea's last seven games and England's opening two European Championship qualifiers and will also sit out next Tuesday's clash with Montenegro.

He said in the Evening Standard: "I don't really want to set dates but I'm hoping to return after the international break.

"I've got a good couple of weeks to work with the physios. Hopefully, I won't be too far away.

"I'm a horrible person to be around when I'm not playing so it's been frustrating for me."

But summer signing Benayoun could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, according to the Israeli football federation.

The 30-year-old had been included in Israel's squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Croatia and Greece, despite not having featured for his club since their Carling Cup defeat to Newcastle on September 22.

However, he underwent an MRI scan after complaining of pain in his ankle and was diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon.

The federation statement predicted this could lead to a "long absence" of "several months", although the player is waiting to see what the Chelsea medics have to say on his return to England.

"I hope to help the team, but unfortunately this is not a simple injury," Benayoun told his national federation's website, www.football.org.il.

"The team and I will cross our fingers.

"After more tests, I will know exactly what the continuing treatment will be."

Meanwhile, new Brazil star Neymar has described the prospect of joining Chelsea as "an honour", claiming he needs to leave Santos to become the world's best player.

The Blues reportedly had a £25million bid for the 18-year-old rejected in the summer.

His Brazilian club pulled out all the stops to keep Neymar and he was eventually convinced to sign a contract until 2015.

He claims he is "happy" at Santos at the moment but believes he needs to move to Europe to fulfil his potential, perhaps as early as next summer.

Neymar told The Sun: "To play for Chelsea would be an honour. Everything they have to offer is attractive to me.

"They have big players, they are in big competitions, they have a strong squad and I like the way they play.

"Top players want to be part of something like that. I'm no different. But I'm happy at Santos.

"If I left, it wouldn't be because Santos isn't a good place to be but only because the Premier League is a higher level.

"It wasn't the right time for me to go in the summer but I will be much better prepared for it by next year."

Neymar, who scored on his Brazil debut in August, added: "A player with a winning mentality like I have has to play in the best places like Chelsea.

"I want to go where I can become a world-class player. I have ambitions to be the best player in the world."