Harry Diamond
Frank Lampard has delivered an update on Christian Pulisic’s ‘problematic injury’ and has confirmed the winger will miss this weekend’s trip to Newcastle.
Pulisic has endured a frustrating start to the season as he continues to struggle with muscle injuries, the US international having started just two league fixtures so far this season following complications from a hamstring injury sustained in last season’s FA Cup final.
The 22-year-old has not featured since withdrawing from the warm-up during the trip to Burnley last month and Lampard has confirmed Pulisic will again be an absentee for this weekend’s clash at St James’ Park, stating that Chelsea will take a ‘cautious’ approach with the youngster’s fitness.
“Christian Pulisic is not fit for Newcastle but he’s stepped up his training slowly,” Lampard said at his pre-match press conference. “It’s been quite a problematic injury so we’ll stay cautious.”
Lampard spoke on Pulisic’s history with muscular injuries and admits Chelsea are ‘still searching’ for a solution to his ongoing struggles, admitting the west London side will seek the right ‘balance’ in the player’s workload in a bid to end his fitness issues.
“We’re still searching,” he added. “He’s had a problematic injury and he had a history before coming to us of some muscular injuries. Everything about how he prepares is perfect so we need to find the right balance between playing, resting and maintenance during the week to get the best out of him. He’s a young player still, it’s not abnormal and we will find a solution.”
Chelsea head to Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime seeking to make it five successive wins in all competitions but travel to a ground where they have endured a wretched recent record, losing five of the past seven meetings between the two sides at St James’ Park.
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