Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that Ben Chilwell has been ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest, but they could welcome Wesley Fofana back into the side.
Forest travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend as both teams look to build on morale-boosting wins in their last outing. The Reds came out as 4-3 winners over Southampton while Chelsea beat Bournemouth 3-1.
The Blues were given an injury problem during the game though with full-back Chilwell forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury. Ahead of the clash against Forest, Lampard has confirmed that the England international won’t be back in time, with international teammates Mason Mount and Reece James also ruled out of the clash.
READ MORE: 'Encouragement' for Nottingham Forest as Chelsea opportunity must be seized
READ MORE: Chelsea boss Frank Lampard offers Nottingham Forest hope with 'nervousness' comment
“Not fit.” he said of Chilwell in his pre-match press conference. “We’re hoping that Chilly will be the last game or two of the season but that’s a tight call.
“It’s a similar story with Mason Mount, maybe a little bit similar with Reece (James), I feel like Reece might be slightly behind that so we’re obviously chasing it a bit now.”
The manager also hinted that central defender Kalidou Koulibaly will also be unavailable after missing the last four Premier League games with a hamstring injury.
He added: “He’s trained with us the last couple of days, a little bit managed, not full training, so again, looking at the next week where we have three games in six games or whatever. So, all of those, hopefully they’ll be in contention, but of course, will they be match fit is another question.”
Lampard did, though, deliver some more positive news for Chelsea on central defender Wesley Fofana. The Frenchman missed the clash against Bournemouth last week as a precaution but could return to the starting line-up against Forest.
“Wes has been training this week, so he’s good,” the Chelsea boss said.
The absence of Chilwell means that Lamard has a decision to make over who plays at left-back with Marc Cucurella also sidelined with injury. 18-year-old Lewis Hall is one option, but he has not featured for the first team since a 0-0 draw with Liverpool back in January.
"Lewis has a chance," The Chelsea boss admitted. "I was tempted to put him on last week but the experience of Azpi (Cesar Azpilicueta) was more suitable.
"He is a very good player, a really talented player. He needs to come out of himself a bit more. I have been really impressed and he is in the running for the last four games."
What are your predictions for the clash vs Chelsea? Tell us in the comments section
READ NEXT:
- Neil Warnock offers Steve Cooper advice in Nottingham Forest relegation scrap
- Nottingham Forest season tickets 2023-2024: Club issues ‘highest ever’ update
- Why Nottingham Forest's Match Of The Day highlights won't be on BBC One this weekend
- Nottingham Forest solution to 'biggest problem' explained as need for improvement highlighted
- The latest Nottingham Forest news in one place
