Chelsea FC boss Frank Lampard has provided an injury update on four first-team stars ahead of the club’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United at home.
N’Golo Kante, Andreas Christensen and Mateo Kovacic were sidelined with injuries on international duty and it appears that only the latter has recovered from his setback.
Speaking in a press conference, Lampard acknowledged that Kovacic has overcome his knock on the thigh and he is primed to make the starting XI alongside Jorginho.
However, the 41-year-old ruled out Kante and Christensen for the game and confirmed that the latter will be sidelined for the rest of the month with a hamstring injury.
“No, N’Golo is not fit. A small groin issue with France, he isn’t fit for Saturday. Kovacic had a knock on his thigh, but in contention. Andreas has a hamstring problem which is going to see him out for two weeks,” he said via Football.London.
Elsewhere, Antonio Rudiger has provided a boost by returning to individual training under the supervision of the physios but Lampard has stressed that the German may need more time in order to improve his fitness after the recent groin problem.
“There’s a bit of work to be done for him to get match fitness but it’s really positive for us that he’s back outside,” he was quoted as saying by the club’s official website.
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