Frank Lampard has more bad news for Chelsea fans heading into the final four games of the season. Despite getting his first win as interim boss against Bournemouth on Saturday it was once more plagued by yet another injury.
This time it was Ben Chilwell who had to be replaced. His latest setback means that Lampard will be without both first choice left-backs against Forest with Lewis Hall being kept back from England Under-20s duty in order to cover and participate during the game.
That was a choice that Lampard explained, saying: "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."
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He added: "It doesn't sense but from our point of view, having the power of keeping our player is important. 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."
He will be in due to Cucurella's ongoing knock. "Marc Cucurella is still out and struggling to play again," Lampard said. "Kalidou Koulibaly may come back in time before the end, too."
The defender has been out since damaging his hamstring against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. He is at danger of missing the rest of the season, as is Mason Mount and Reece James. Chilwell will also be up against it to play in any of the last four matches.
"Not fit," the caretaker head coach said. "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." They are added to an ever-increasing list over abscentees including Armando Broja, who is another out for the season.
There was some good news in the backline, though. "Wesley Fofana is training," Lampard revealed. The Frenchman missed the win against Bournemouth.
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