Manchester City are reportedly looking to extend Frank Lampard's loan spell following his performance against his former side Chelsea at the weekend.
The 36-year-old, who joined newly formed MLS side New York City after being released by the Blues this summer, is currently on loan with the Citizens till January.
However, City boss Manuel Pellegrini has now hinted that they might extend Lampard's contract by a further two months as the new MLS season will only begin in March.
"I can't answer about that in this moment," Pellegrini told reporters, when asked whether Lampard's contract would be extended beyond January.
"Frank will stay until January because until January he doesn't have anything to do in the United States because they are not working. In January we will see what is happening and we will make a decision then."
City will certainly benefit if they manage to convince Lampard to extend his stay at the Etihad as they will be without the services of Yaya Toure for two months (11 January to 1 February) due to his involvement with Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, Pellegrini refused to comment on speculations of City planning a £50 million move for Everton's Ross Barkley in January.
"We are not trying to bring anyone to our squad at this moment," the manager said. "We have an important restriction on money and the amount of players we can have in our squad. I don't know where the news comes [from] but here in Manchester City it is not a problem in this moment."
The Chilean tactician also stated that he was not criticising Chelsea's style of play when he called them "a small team" following the 1-1 draw at the Etihad.
"I said we played against a big team against a small team with very good players because all of them can defend," Pellegrini stressed. "They can play how they want to. I am not criticising the way they play."
"Every team can play the way that thinks it is the best way to do it. We have the same problem against Stoke and Chelsea and we couldn't resolve it. We must work more to resolve it. It is our problem and we must find a way to score."
