Frank Lampard has hinted that Christian Pulisic could be in line to start against Southampton on Saturday, though he has several other injuries and issues elsewhere in his squad to deal with.
The west London club are back in action at Stamford Bridge tomorrow after the international break, though not all of his players came through the two weeks unscathed.
Summer signing Edouard Mendy picked up an injury while away with Senegal – though it is hoped it is only a minor problem – while Ben Chilwell had to pull out of the England squad.
The goalkeeper will definitely not play, though Chilwell could be passed fit, while Thiago Silva has been ruled out of Saturday’s match after playing for Brazil during the week.
In better news, Pulisic has enjoyed two good weeks training at Cobham and appears to be over his injury woes while Hakim Ziyech could be given a cameo off the bench – though the Moroccan is another player who is still not up to full speed yet.
Asked for his team news at his pre-match press conference, Lampard explained: ‘Mendy won’t be fit for the match tomorrow but we hope the injury is not too long.
‘Ben Chilwell is in the squad, so he’s got over some of the feeling he had which took him out of the England squad around the injury he has had for a while now.
‘Christian Pulisic is in the squad and fit to play. Hakim Ziyech is in the squad, not fit to start but fit enough to participate some minutes we hope.’
On whether Kepa Arrizabalaga could be restored to the starting XI following Mendy’s injury, Lampard replied bluntly: ‘I’ll make that decision myself out of the goalkeepers for tomorrow.’
