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Chelsea injury update ahead of Man Utd clash with two stars set to return
Chelsea face Manchester United on Monday in a must-win Premier League tie.
Chelsea: Giroud will ‘get his opportunities’ says Lampard
Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Monday in a key battle in the fight for fourth place, and they could welcome back some key players. One player pushing for a return is unlikely to feature, though.
Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic could return to the starting line-up to face the Red Devils on Monday.
However, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is unlikely to feature, having only recently returned to training.
The young midfielder was pictured in training with the first-team squad before the FA Cup game with Hull back in January.
But he is yet to be included in the full squad for a game, having been left out against Leicester City before the winter break.
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Having recently recovered from an Achilles tendon rupture, Chelsea chiefs are reluctant to rush him back into the team.
He played in a closed-doors friendly against Brentford B last week, but is unlikely to feature on Monday.
However, Giroud and Pulisic could return against United.
American winger Pulisic was left out against Leicester as well, having recently recovered from abductor muscle problem.
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But Lampard admitted it is possible that the youngster will return.
He said: “We tried to get him out there last week, step it up a little bit, but we had to pull out of that.
“The break might have come at a good time, it buys us a couple of weeks.
"Of course you miss him. He's a quality player and he was having a really good patch pre-Christmas.
"Others have to stand up too, but of course we'll be happy when he's back."
Giroud, too, could return to the squad, having been left out before the winter break.
He was believed to be close to leaving Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closed, so it is possible that his absence was due to negotiations instead of an injury.
United are expected to be without Axel Tuanzebe, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford, but could give a Premier League debut to January signing Bruno Fernandes.