Lampard hopes out-of-contract Chelsea players sign short-term deals

FILE PHOOT: Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Everton - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 8, 2020 Chelsea manager Frank Lampard celebrates after the match REUTERS/David Klein

(Reuters) - Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says he is hopeful players whose contracts expire in June will sign short-term deals and finish the Premier League season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the novel coronavirus outbreak bringing world soccer to a standstill, global body FIFA last month recommended extending players' contracts that are due to end in June.