Frank Lampard says he will make late decisions on whether to include N’Golo Kante, Willian and Antonio Rudiger in his squad for Chelsea’s opening game of the season at Manchester United on Sunday.
Kante and Rudiger recently returned to training after knee injuries and will be assessed ahead of the match at Old Trafford.
So too will Willian, who has also trained this week. The Brazilian has been nursing a hamstring strain.
New Blues boss Lampard is keen to give them as much time as possible before making a final decision on his line-up.
Kante looks likely to at least be in the squad, but the game might well come too soon for Rudiger and Willian.
Lampard said: “Kante is fit. Is he match fit? It’s a question I’ll have to decide right up to the end.
“Willian is working to be fit and it’s probably come slightly too soon for him.
“Possibly Rudiger is the same but Rudiger has been training with us for a few days now. That’s for me again to gauge over the next 24-48 hours until Sunday.”
Speaking at a news conference on Friday afternoon, Lampard also denied suggestions he fell out with David Luiz prior to the defender’s surprise move to Arsenal.
This post was last modified on 09/08/2019