Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has acknowledged that Olivier Giroud could leave Stamford Bridge in January.

Despite being named on the substitutes' bench for Sunday's FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest, Giroud has barely featured for the Blues in recent months.

With Aston Villa and Newcastle United said to have joined the race for his signature, Lampard has admitted that the France international could leave in the coming weeks.

Speaking to reporters, the Englishman said: "My answer remains the same as it has done recently and I have spoken with him.

"If the conditions are that it's something Oli really wants to do and it works for the club and it works for me and the squad, then it's something that could happen, but only when all three of those bases are covered. So we're still there."

Crystal Palace are also said to be monitoring the situation.