Frank Lampard will be working his Chelsea players hard in training in the next few days with no weekend game for the Blues. Manchester United's FA Cup participation means Chelsea are next in action on Wednesday, April 26 against Brentford where the extra few days rest could be huge for some players.
Following the Champions League quarter-final exit to Real Madrid, Lampard looks to almost have a fully fit squad at his disposal. A European spot being secured for next season would be a remarkable achievement, but the reality of the situation is, Chelsea's final few weeks of league action is largely redundant.
What the next seven games can be for some Chelsea stars is an opportunity to prove they are worthy of a spot in the first team next season. That could be slightly difficult for some players who are dealing with niggling injuries that could see them out of the picture for the final period.
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With that said, football.london has rounded up the latest injury news from Stamford Bridge ahead of next week's clash against Brentford
Reece James
In the first-half of the Blues' clash against Real Madrid, 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.
What Lampard said: N/A
Expected return date: Brentford (H) - April 26
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek was omitted from the squad to face Brighton due to an injury. The midfielder is still yet to feature for Lampard this season after the 44-year-old replaced Graham Potter in the dugout.
What Lampard said: "Ruben - back."
Injury: Back
Expected return date: Unknown
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: "No, he won't be available for either game," the 41-year-old said in response to Koulibaly's chances of playing in the next two fixtures.
"A hamstring injury, it will be a matter of weeks rather than days. 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."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Arsenal (A) - May 2
Edouard Mendy
In January, Chelsea confirmed that Mendy underwent surgery on a fractured finger which he sustained during training. After an extended period of time on the sidelines, the Senegal international appears to be back in contention for selection.
Mendy was the starting goalkeeper under Frank Lampard during his first stint as manager but it remains to be seen whether he replaces Kepa Arrizabalaga in the side before the end of the season. Mendy has returned to the bench for Chelsea but is yet to play in 2023.
What Lampard said: "I think he [Kepa] has been in good form and Edou has had a couple of injuries. He is still carrying a small one at the moment so the position as you see it doesn’t change. I’m not judging anything on my previous time at the club as opposed to what is in front of me now."
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Brentford (H) - April 26
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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