FRANK THE POOPER SCOOPER!

FRANK LAMPARD has revealed the superstitious routine that helped him become the first Chelsea boss to win the Premier League’s manager of the month award since 2016. It includes taking his dog, Minnie, for early morning walks, wearing specific boots for training sessions, 50-minute bicycle sessions in the gym and pasta as his pre-match meal. Lampard, whose side are at home to Crystal Palace in today’s lunchtime kick-off, fears it could affect the result if he changes his routine. ‘If I don’t do them then I can feel like, ridiculously, as if it might have an effect on the result,’ says Lampard. ‘I did it as a player. It was very commonplace in our dressingroom. John [Terry] was very structured in his build-up. I like going to the gym, I like walking the dog, I like eating pasta as a pre-match meal, so I stick with certain things. ‘I joke a little bit, but I think it shows how much you want to do well and win sometimes, whether it has an effect or not.’ Pressed on the dog walks, Lampard smiled and said: ‘The day before training, I will walk her at a certain time, for a certain route. ‘I take her down to the local coffee shop, get my takeaway coffee, walk around, pick up her s***, put it in the bin, walk her home then go to training!’ Lampard’s predecessor Maurizio Sarri was similarly superstitious. The Italian, now at Juventus, shaved his head after defeats and refused to step on to the pitch after matches. Ross Barkley, who was called up for England on Thursday, is out with a foot injury. Mason Mount will have a late fitness test.

Chelsea v Crystal Palace, LIVE on BT Sport 1 from 12pm (KO 12.30)