Frank Lampard and John Terry insist they were behind Avram Grant’s gamble to leave them out of last night’s Champions League match against Olympiacos in Athens.

Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw in the last 16 tie but are now the favourites to progress with the Greek side having to visit Stamford Bridge for the return leg in two weeks' time.

Lampard had only recently returned from a thigh injury that sidelined him for six weeks and Terry had only played 90 minutes since returning from a fractured foot.

“I felt fresh but the manager didn’t want to take a chance on me and John, and we were in the same boat," Lampard said.

“We understood the reasons for being substitutes. You have to be mature and professional but it doesn’t mean we cannot be frustrated and want to play. The manager would expect that and it is just the way it is.

“It is a long season. I have been out for six weeks and played the other day and there are a lot of important games to come.”

But Lampard admitted to being frustrated by Grant’s rotation policy and said it was important to have a settled team for the season’s run-in, beginning with Sunday’s Carling Cup Final

He said: “You would have to ask the manager if it is a fitness thing or rotation but it is very important we get a settled team in the run-in.

“Any good team I have been involved with has had a pretty settled line-up and it will be down to the manager to find that. I want to be in a successful team and any top player wants to play but you have to understand you are in a strong squad.

“I want to play, I feel very fresh and have a lot in my legs. I never normally have injuries and I have missed three months of this season with them. It has been very frustrating and I don’t want to miss any more games.

“John and I are going to be fresh anyway and a cup final against Tottenham is always a game that you are going to be very excited about.

“It is something we are looking forward to and we are just happy to be back in the frame. It will be a very difficult game because [Spurs] are in good form and very excited to be in a final."