Frank Lampard has confirmed Benoît Badiashile's hamstring injury is a matter of "months rather than weeks" but hopes he won't miss any games because of the timing of the setback.
As football.london reported on Tuesday, the 22-year-old defender, who suffered a hamstring strain in training last week, is set for a spell on the sidelines. However, it's understood he could well be in line for a return before the 2023/24 season starts in August.
Lampard, who was speaking to the press ahead of Chelsea's penultimate Premier League game with Manchester United, has opened up on how much of a blow it is for the player himself. The interim Blues boss said: "It's a big blow for him. I'm really disappointed for him.
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"He's come here and he's impressed. In the games just before he got injured, I was really happy with him. I think he's going to be a really good player for the club.
"The injury is unfortunate. It's a bit of a complicated injury in his hamstring. We're probably talking months rather than weeks, unfortunately. That's all I'll say at the minute. It's a little bit complicated for him. But hopefully for him, the time of it being over the summer means he's not missing games and he comes back stronger."
Lampard also confirmed Chelsea would be missing another three players for the trip to Manchester United on Thursday evening. Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Reece James all remain sidelined.
"There are no returning players," Lampard said. "Mason, Reece and Chilly won't make the game. Benoît Badiashile we know is out."
Long-term absentee Armando Broja remains out. The Albania international is still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture he suffered in the club's mid-season tour of Dubai.
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