Blues boss Frank Lampard has verified his top goalscorer is nursing a niggling knock, while an American ahead stays stuck on the sidelines.
Tammy Abraham has combined Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante on the treatment table at Chelsea, with Frank Lampard confirming a niggling ankle criticism will rule the striker from his immediate plans.
The Blues are getting ready for a Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Saturday and Abraham, who watched 29 minutes off the bench in a midweek 3-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, will play no role against the Cherries.
The England international, who has 15 goals to his name this year, has joined those stuck on the sidelines after aggravating a previous problem in a warm down at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard told reporters when offering a fitness upgrade:”Pulisic is injured. Kante hurt, Abraham injured. We’re trying to discover a solution with Tammy. It is the same.
“At the moment he isn’t doing anything active for a few days. But we do not know the length.”
While Abraham has been in and out of the side over recent weeks, United States global Pulisic hasn’t been seen since New Year’s Day.
Lampard added on the 21-year-old, who has an adductor injury:”It’s been longer. It was a good deal less. However, I had a similar injury when I was a participant, so I can sympathise. I know it can be delicate harm.
“The way he was playing, the hot spot, the ability to go past players.”
1 man who’s back in contention after spending quite a long time from an activity is Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Lampard said of this highly-rated midfielder, who’s searching for his first aggressive minutes of this season: “Ruben is in the group again. It’d mean a lot to him. It’s a lonely place to be hurt. With the ability, he has got he’s among the most exciting English midfield players.”
Chelsea will face Bournemouth in the Vitality Stadium trying to cement their standing within the Premier League’s top four.
They are only 3 points clear of the chasing pack at present and need to boost their spirits after enduring a morale-sapping reversal against Bayern.
Lampard added on a thrilling battle for Champions League qualification:”When you look around and the kind of [Manchester] United, a solid unit and invested well last summer, like Tottenham and you can not write off Arsenal.
“Wolves and Sheffield United, you need to respect them, they’re great teams. We’ve got a fight on. Anyone who’s in the range has an opportunity.”
