FRANK LAMPARD has backed midfielder Billy Gilmour to fulfill his potential with Chelsea and become a 'huge player' at Stamford Bridge for years to come.

The former Rangers kid enjoyed a stunning breakthrough campaign under Lampard's guidance last season before a knee injury brought a premature end to his maiden term in the Premier League.

Gilmour returned to action after several months out during the Champions League win over Sevilla in December and made his first start in the competition in the draw with Krasnodar.

He was an impressive performer as Chelsea beat Morecambe in the FA Cup at the weekend and Lampard is delighted at the progress of his 19-year-old protege as he looks to go from strength to strength this season.

Lampard said: “I’m delighted to have Billy ready to go. He is going to be a huge player for this club.

“He’s young and, like all the youth I talk about in the squad, we need to give him time, but his talent is huge and I’m really happy with where he is.

“Billy is pushing and has been pushing since he made his breakthrough last season against top-level opposition, Liverpool.

“He played brilliantly then, got man of the match and reproduced that against Everton, but then his injury came pretty soon after that. From those moments - and even before - I knew Billy would be a very, very good player for this club.

“His attitude in rehab was exactly what I expected - that was great to see. Billy did everything right, kept himself fit and came straight back in.”