Frank Lampard has admitted that he is disappointed to be without so many first-team players, confirming Antonio Rudiger and N’Golo Kante are still on Chelsea’s treatment table.
The recently appointed Chelsea boss has been forced to juggle a number of injuries throughout his short tenure at Stamford Bridge, with both Kante and Rudiger having struggled with ongoing problems since the end of last season.
Ross Barkley, Emerson Palmieri, Andreas Christensen and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are also set to miss the short trip to Vicarage Road to face Premier League strugglers, Watford, and while Lampard admitted the injuries were ‘disappointing’, he added that it did offer opportunities to other members of his squad.
“He’s [Rudiger] not fit. He’s seeing a consultant on Monday over an ongoing pelvic issue,” Lampard said at his pre-match press conference.
“We’ll have to wait for the consultant appointment to see how long he’ll be out.
“Himself and N’Golo (Kante) carried over injuries from last season and it’s been a domino effect.
“The players will be frustrated. Disappointing for me because I want to select them but it brings opportunities for other players. N’Golo is close, working with the team now.”
Lampard wary of ‘wounded’ Watford despite winless start
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