Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has provided an injury update on his squad as they prepare to face Brighton this weekend.
Defenders Antonio Rudiger and Emerson Palmieri will miss the clash at Stamford Bridge with groin and hamstring injuries respectively, though Andreas Christensen should be fit after returning to first-team training.
Lampard also provided an update on the fitness of long-term absentee Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the 23-year-old having yet to feature this season as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious Achilles injury sustained in May.
“Tony [Rudiger] has got a recurring injury in his groin area so we’re trying to find a solution because he’s still got some pain. We’re hopeful it won’t be long but I haven’t got an end date.
“Andreas [Christensen] should be OK. He’s trained with us today. He’s missed most of the week. There’s still a tiny bit of pain but it’s hopefully not a risk, so he’ll be in the squad.
“It’s been a difficult week for him because his illness left him pretty weak. He’s been getting a bit of strength back this week so it’ll be touch or go as to whether he’s involved tomorrow.
“Emerson is going to be the other side of the international break with the hamstring injury and Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] I can’t give a date but he’s outside jogging slowly, so that’s a positive move from this week.
“Good to see him outside and we’ll see how that goes over the coming weeks and months.”
Teenage duo Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi made their long-awaited comebacks from injury in Wednesday’s 7-1 Carabao Cup win over Grimsby Town, with both players scoring as Lampard’s side thrashed their League Two opponents.
James returned from an impressive loan spell at Wigan last season before sustaining a serious ankle injury with the England U20 side this summer, but was a stand-out performer on his first senior appearance for the club.
Hudson-Odoi’s return and subsequent goal was also a welcome boost for the Blues, the England international back in contention having recovered from a long-term Achilles injury.
The pair are amongst an exciting batch of talent set to be handed opportunities under Lampard this season, with the Chelsea boss admitted both players are pushing for further involvement after their returns to fitness.
“They’re in the squad and they performed well the other day. Delighted for Reece to get his first goal, Callum to get his goal.
“They still have improvement, they’re young players but they’ve shown the quality that they have. Now they’re back fit, they’re pushing.”
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