Chelsea team news: Lampard confirms double injury blow as 6 players are ruled out

Chelsea will be looking to build on their win at Norwich when they take on Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Frank Lampard has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s provided an update on the fitness of N’Golo Kante, Pedro and Antonio Rudiger.

Kante missed the 3-2 victory at Carrow Road last weekend due to an ankle sprain and Lampard has now confirmed the French international will remain on the sidelines for tomorrow’s clash with Sheffield United.

Pedro also sat out the win over Norwich City last time out due to a thigh injury and Chelsea will once again have to make-do without the Spanish attacker for the visit of the Blades tomorrow afternoon – although Lampard is hopeful Pedro will be available again after the upcoming international break.

There were hopes Rudiger may make his first team comeback this weekend after turning out for the U23s recently having overcome a knee injury, however, Lampard says the centre-back will be given more time to build on his fitness and will play for the development squad this evening.

As long as the German international comes through that game unscathed, then Chelsea expect Rudiger to be available for first team selection in two weeks after the international break.

Lampard: "N'Golo Kante is not fit, a continuation of his ankle problem. Pedro is not fit and hopefully should be the other side of the international break. Rudiger will play for the Under 23s tonight and then he is in serious contention after the break."

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) August 30, 2019

Elsewhere, Mason Mount has been passed fit after recovering from a minor knock but Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi remain out with Achilles injuries while Reece James is still working his way back from an ankle injury meaning Lampard will be without six players this weekend.

Chelsea head into the weekend action sitting 13th in the Premier League table after taking four points from their opening three games but they can jump up the table with a win over newly-promoted Sheffield United tomorrow.