Frank Lampard's injury troubles continue at Chelsea as he prepares to take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. With Mason Mount and Reece James all but ruled out for the season, the interim boss is working with a massively reduced squad.
That may, in some ways, come as a boost with the 32-man group already bloated in terms of options. However, the fitness and injuries to some of his key players and in key positions, has left his hands tied in certain areas.
None of this makes the trip to Arsenal any more appealing for Lampard. The 44-year-old has lost five out of five since returning to the helm at Stamford Bridge and an increasingly tough looking run-in only adds to the lack of optimism towards the end of the term.
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As well as James and Mount, here's the latest from the Chelsea treatment room.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly started in a back three for Chelsea in the first-leg against Real Madrid but, after a lung-busting run to track back and deny Rodrygo a chance, the defender pulled up clutching his hamstring.
What Lampard said: "A hamstring injury, it will be a matter of weeks rather than days," he said at the time. "He's a very good, very experienced player. It's a disappointment for him and for us, but opportunity and we carry on without him. Hopefully, he gets fit as quick as he can."
He has since added: "Yeah, out for a while still. I think it will be a tight call for the season, he's working away. Been impressed with him actually as a professional, he's doing his job very well. Unfortunately the injury is a bit of a tough one."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Unknown
Marc Cucurella
The Spanish defender was ruled out of the game against Brentford late on having not been highlighted before the match as an absentee.
What Lampard said: "Cucurella is injured. He injured himself in training two days ago. He will be out for a few weeks with a quad injury."
He added ahead of Arsenal: "Cucurella, probably another two weeks or so. It was a two or three week injury when he first did it a week or so ago."
Injury: Quad
Expected return date: Unknown
Kai Havertz
What Lampard said: "Kai Havertz is in contention for the game, he’s trained."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Arsenal (A) - May 2
Reece James
In the first-half of the Blues' clash against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge, James was seen feeling his hamstring. The defender appeared to be struggling for a moment or so but he soldiered on and completed 90 minutes, although the latest update from Lampard was not too positive.
What Lampard said: "Reece James is unavailable, probably for the season. Reece had a hamstring he picked up in the Madrid game, he got through the game but we scanned it the following day."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Summer
Mason Mount
Mount has suffered with plenty of injuries this season, with an ongoing pelvic issue plaguing him this season. Another setback means that the club's two-time player of the season is set to miss out on another appearance while speculation grows over his future.
Mount posted an update on Instagram, saying: "Had a minor procedure yesterday to sort out a discomfort I had for a while.
"Everything went well and I’m feeling good. Time to rest but can’t wait to get back to training in the coming weeks! Thanks for all your messages of support and a massive thank you to the medical team, doctors and nurses for looking after me."
What Lampard said: "Mason has been carrying this pelvic injury for quite a while, it pre-dates myself. We've been trying and the medical staff have been trying but we've got to the stage now where he'll have a minor surgery. Probably a four-week recovery and we know where that gets us to."
Injury: Pelvis
Expected return date: Summer
Armando Broja
Chelsea have been without Broja for a while now after the striker suffered a knee injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
He looked to be in considerable pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international had no history of knee injuries and his injury was a major blow.
Broja has been expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needed surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london reported at the time. However, he's recently been pictured back in individual training at Cobham, albeit mostly gym work.
What Lampard said: N/A
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Summer 2023
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