Sarri expects Loftus-Cheek back within six months

Maurizio Sarri believes Ruben Loftus-Cheek is likely to return to action for Chelsea within six months.

Loftus-Cheek has been sidelined by an Achilles tendon rupture, as has Blues team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The England midfielder suffered the injury during Chelsea’s recent friendly in Boston against New England Revolution.

It is hoped he will be training by September or October with a view to then playing again.

Head coach Sarri said: “The injury is very similar to the Callum injury – not the same but very similar – so the time for the recovery is almost the same.

“Loftus-Cheek was able to become a very important player. I am very disappointed but it is useless to speak about him.

“I am very sure that in the future he will be able to return stronger than in the past.

“He will become, for sure, one of the best midfielders in Europe. I don’t know the timing because it is very difficult to say (when he will be back).

“Probably he will be able to have training with the group after five months. I don’t know exactly the timing, but from four months to six months.”

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, Sarri said he was “optimistic” that Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante would recover from hamstring problem in time for next week’s Europa League final against Arsenal.

Sarri also responded to reports that he could be set to return to his native Italy as Juventus boss.

Sarri said he would speak to Chelsea after the final to see if they want to keep him at the club.

“My future is Wednesday. I need only to think of the final,” he said.

“I have no contact with the club at the moment. I need to speak to my club after the final. I want to know if they are happy with me or not.

“I like very much the Premier League. It is the most important championship in the world and it is very exciting to be here.

“Chelsea is one of the most important clubs in the Premier League so I am very happy.

“We have to discuss the situation, but that is normal. At the end of every season you have to discuss with the club.”