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Chelsea injury updates as Lampard looks to welcome back two stars after winter break
Chelsea have three players in the treatment room over the winter break.
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Chelsea boss Frank Lampard might be able to welcome back two injured stars after the winter break but only one of them is likely to be available for Manchester United’s visit to Stamford Bridge on February 17. Chelsea currently have three senior players in the treatment room in the form of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and Marco van Ginkel as Lampard’s men enjoy the inaugural winter break.
Chelsea’s last fixture came against Leicester on February 1, when a headed Antonio Rudiger brace helped them secure a 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium.
The Premier League’s decision to bring in a winter break, which has seen one game week split across two weekends, has afforded Chelsea a two-week break from action.
Lampard will be hoping to have a well-rested, fully fit squad at his disposal when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brings his United side to west London a week on Monday.
So, how many of Chelsea’s injured players might be back in contention following the winter break?
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Christian Pulisic
Pulisic suffered an abductor muscle tear on January 10 and has subsequently missed wins over Burnley and Hull, draws with Arsenal and Leicester, and a defeat against Newcastle.
Lampard revealed he was hopeful of the winger being available for the showdown with United, which will see Chelsea try and extend the advantage they have over the Red Devils.
"Hopefully he will be back on the other side of that break," Lampard said. "It is kind of in line with how we expected to be."
Pulisic has scored five goals and two assists in 16 Premier League appearances this season and will be desperate to feature against United.
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Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek is yet to make a competitive appearance for Chelsea this season having suffered an Achilles tendon rupture in friendly last May.
The midfielder has stepped up his training in recent weeks though and even featured in a behind-closed doors game at Cobham.
Unlike Pulisic, though, Loftus-Cheek has little chance of featuring when United make their way to Stamford Bridge.
Speaking a few weeks ago, Lampard said: "If he can be training with us after the break, [he] might still need some competitive games but he might not be far away."
Marco van Ginkel
Van Ginkel has made just four first-team appearances in a bizarre spell at Chelsea which has seen him loaned out to AC Milan, Stoke and PSV Eindhoven.
Van Ginkel has also suffered a series of fitness setbacks which have hampered his career, including a pair of serious knee injuries.
His most recent knee injury has kept him out since June 2018, but Lampard hinted before Christmas that he could force a way into Chelsea’s plans one day.
After Van Ginkel returned to working on the training pitches at Cobham, Lampard said: "Not there yet, but it is getting closer now."