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Frank Lampard confirms injuries to Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella as Blues’ woes continue.
Chelsea are in the midst of a left-back crisis, with Frank Lampard confirming that Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella are both injured.
Chilwell was removed 15 minutes from the end of the Blues’ 3-1 win against Bournemouth last time out, with club captain Cesar Azpilicueta coming on in his stead.
Lampard is critically short of senior full-backs and may have to rely on the veteran Spanish defender once more in a home game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The Blues boss told reporters when delivering the latest fitness update on his squad: “[Chilwell is] not fit. Wes [Fofana] has been training this week, so he is good. He [Cucurella] won’t be fit for this game. He’s [Kalidou Koulibaly] trained with us, not full training with us. It’s a similar story to Reece James and Mason Mount. I feel for him [Chilwell]. We miss big players. Ben, Mason and Reece are big internationals.”
While Azpilicueta is expected to come in against Forest, Lampard has another alternative in Lewis Hall, who has made seven appearances this season but has been ruled out of England’s U20 World Cup squad.
Lampard added: “Lewis has a chance. I was tempted to put him on last week but the experience of Azpi was more suitable. He is a very good player, a really talented player. He needs to come out of himself a bit more. I have been really impressed and he is in the running for the last four games. He wanted to play for his country but that is a good thing. But also he has come through this academy and is desperate to play.”