Frank Lampard is looking forward to what promises to be a special night as he returns to the stadium he affectionately calls ‘home’ as manager of Derby County.

Lampard, our all-time highest scorer, and a man who played such a pivotal role in our success during his 13-year spell at Stamford Bridge, including captaining us to Champions League glory in 2012, brings his Championship side to Stamford Bridge this evening in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Both himself and Jody Morris, his assistant at Derby and a boyhood Chelsea fan who came through the ranks before going on to make 173 appearances for the Blues, as well as leading our Under-18 side to huge success more recently, are guaranteed to receive a wonderful welcome from the Stamford Bridge faithful this evening.

Lampard has already returned to the Bridge once previously, as a Manchester City player in 2015, and he explained why he is relishing tonight’s visit.

‘It will be different as a manager because of the nature of my job,’ said Lampard. ‘This is a new career path for me. As a player it was difficult. I was nervous, I enjoyed it but I’m not sure if I did enjoy it, it was one of those weird ones.

‘As a manager I can go back with a different feeling but it will always be home for me. Thirteen years of success and I’m so thankful to the club and to the fans and everybody who helped me personally along the way to be part of that.

‘So it’s surreal but it’s great. I want to enjoy it more than I did as a player because I want to suck it all in and meet people that I’ve known for years, who work there and are the heartbeat of the club.’

The Blues are going into the game in great form, unbeaten in all competitions so far and coming off the back of an impressive 4-0 win at Burnley on Sunday.

Our place in the fourth round was secured courtesy of a superb win at Liverpool as we came from behind to win 2-1, and Lampard acknowledged the nature of the test facing his side.

‘I’m loving doing this, working with the players, the squad and the staff etc, and just having the opportunity to go back to Chelsea is special for me on all fronts,’ he explained. ‘I’d like us to be going there regularly, every season, that’s the aim at Derby. But this is part of a process. We went to Old Trafford and did very well, showed what we can do, and all I ask is that we do the same and give a good account of ourselves.

‘It’s going to be as difficult, if not more. Whatever team Chelsea put out they’re playing very well and flying high, and we’ll have to be at our absolute best to be in the game, let alone try to win it.’

Lampard was keen to express his gratitude towards his former club after we granted Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount, who are both on loan at Derby from Chelsea, permission to feature in the game, and he believes it’s a decision which will benefit all concerned, particularly the players.

‘They should thank, and I thank, Chelsea for that,’ Lampard said. ‘They’re their players and I think Chelsea saw the big picture, which is their personal development and the chance to play at Stamford Bridge is great for them.

‘They would have been devastated not to be able to, I’m really pleased for them and they need to perform and to show what I think they have been showing for us here, and it will be great for them.

‘It’s a great night for them and it’s a great night for myself and the staff, in terms of Jody and Chris Jones, who were obviously there for long periods in different ways.’