Frank Lampard press conference: Chelsea boss gives injury updates on N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham ahead of Tottenham clash
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek could feature for the first time in ten months after being named in the squad to face Tottenham on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has been slowly working his way back to full fitness after rupturing his Achilles last April.
Blues boss Frank Lampard reveals that while Loftus-Cheek won't start, he could play some part in the Premier League fixture - which is LIVE on talkSPORT.
His return comes at a useful time for Chelsea, who will be without midfielder N'Golo Kante for the next three weeks due to a muscle injury sustained during the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Lampard had no update on when Christian Pulisic will return to fitness, but Tammy Abraham and Andreas Christensen are available following minor injury concerns.
The Chelsea manager said: "Kante is not fit, he has a muscle injury and will be out for three weeks. Pulisic is not fit.
"Tammy has trained and is in the squad. Christensen went to get a mask for a broken nose but is available."
Here's everything Lampard had to say at his press conference on Friday...
On the growing number of injuries
"I'm not sure many people are talking about our injuries, but we've got some big ones now.
"Kante has only played 50 per cent of the games when he's been a mainstay of the team for four years. Ruben Loftus-Cheek hasn't kicked a ball yet.
"We've got a lot, so I think the fans respect that and see what we are trying to do.
"But they and we want to win games. We need to stand up, we need to fight, Tottenham are one point behind, teams are close behind us.
"The players will give everything for us, I can say that now."
On dropping Kepa Arrizabalaga
"I'm absolutely together with all the club and the board, because we all want the best. And I'm paid to make decisions.
"So with form I have to consider the goalkeeper position. Recently it's just changed, but that's nothing final.
"All Kepa needs to do is train and show a great attitude, as I demand from all the players.
"And things can obviously change. But all I want is the best for the team."
On his relationship with Mourinho
"Our relationship after working together changes.
"We're very amicable and respectful of each other but obviously we both want our teams to win.
"I have got respect for him but I am not considering the personal battle between me and him. I am just trying to win the game."
On Tottenham's injury crisis
"He [Jose Mourinho] has got attacking players, let's get it right.
"Dele Alli in his best season at Tottenham was playing up alongside Harry Kane.
"And Lucas Moura scored a hat-trick in a Champions League semi-final last year."
On whether missing out on top-four would be failure
"That's for everyone to judge; I work game to game to see what we can get to.
"A lot of eyes were drawn to the transfer ban rightly so.
"But we have a lot of games to go with it in our hands, to see if we can get to the top four.
"It's going to be tough. We're not going to be given anything, we have to go out and fight.
"I think whenever I speak to fans, they understand this season is a transitional year.
"We can't please everybody but they recognised the way the team is trying to play.
Saturday is GameDay on talkSPORT. We’ll bring you THREE live Premier League commentaries across our network this Saturday, including Chelsea vs Tottenham (12:30)