Frank Lampard (calf) ruled out of NYCFC match vs. New England

Frank Lampard has been ruled out of Saturday's match against the New England Revolution due to a lingering calf strain he picked up in training last week, further delaying his long-awaited MLS debut.

This is the second straight match the former Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder will be forced to miss because of the injury.

Lampard was set to get his first taste of MLS play in New York City FC's home draw against Toronto FC over the weekend, but picked up the injury just two days before the match.

Hoping to return, Lampard attempted to practise with the team late this week, but NYCFC coach Jason Kreis says the 36-year-old is simply not ready to play just yet.

"He's not healthy," Kreis said after Friday's training. "We really thought last week, based on the severity of the calf injury, that we'd have a player who would be available this weekend, but plans and reality sometimes don't mesh. He's still carrying the calf injury and we're not going to take a risk with it."

Kries added that it was too early to determine when the former England international will be fit enough to participate in his first MLS game.

Despite never featuring in an MLS game, Lampard was named to the MLS All-Star team by commissioner Don Garber earlier in the week, along with fellow ex-Premier League star Steven Gerrard, who will make his league debut Friday in the LA Galaxy's match with the San Jose Earthquakes.