Both Chelsea manager Frank Lampard and the club’s fans will be all smiles following the latest injury update given by the boss himself. The boss said he expects Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech and England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi to be available for selection for the London derby against Arsenal on boxing day.
Both players underwent some scans yesterday and according to the Gaffer, the results brought about positive signs and they have moved a step closer to regaining fitness and returning to the pitch.
Lampard revealed the news in the post-match interview following a 1-1 draw against visitors Krasnodar in their final group stage game of the UEFA Champions League.
Ziyech picked up a hamstring injury on Saturday against Leeds United in the Blues’ 3-1 win at home in the Premier League and was taken off in the first half. Hudson-Odoi however picked up a similar problem in training and missed the Krasnodar game in the process, giving youngster Billy Gilmour an all-clear to start instead.
According to Lampard, the signs point that the two players will return to fitness in two weeks and that Ziyech is the one making more progress than his English teammate. While Lampard has a high percentage of assurance of welcoming back Ziyech from injury, he wasn’t so sure about the exact time it will take Hudson-Odoi to return.
He about Odoi, Lampard said the scans taken on the winger were random ones as they did not know where to look exactly or what to expect either. But stated that he will keep his fingers crossed and notice improvements in the forthcoming days.
Billy Gilmour who started in place of the missing Odoi received praises from his manager who was pleased to have his player back after suffering a knee injury back in July.