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Chelsea injury news: Kante, Kovacic latest as Lampard gives update ahead of Crystal Palace
Express Sport brings you the latest Chelsea injury news.
Chelsea: Frank Lampard reacts to 'comfortable' win over Watford
Chelsea will be without several first-team players when they continue their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park tonight. Blues manager Frank Lampard has a serious selection headache with N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic both ruled out among others.
Chelsea returned to winning ways against Watford on Saturday, bouncing back from their midweek defeat to West Ham by securing a 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Olivier Giroud, Willian and Ross Barkley sent the Blues back up to fourth in the Premier League, a point behind Leicester and two clear of Manchester United.
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Lampard will hope his side can continue that momentum against Palace with Champions League qualification on the line and just five matches of the top-flight season remaining.
However, the Chelsea manager must rotate his squad with both Kante and Kovacic set to miss the trip to Selhurst Park after injury.
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N'Golo Kante
Kante has struggled with a number of injuries during the 2019/20 season, meaning he has made just 27 appearances across all competitions.
But the Frenchman had played every minute of Chelsea's five matches since the end of lockdown, only to pull up with a hamstring issue during the second half of the 3-0 win over Watford on Saturday.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of the match against Palace, Lampard said: "Kante won't be in the squad.
"Hurt his hamstring. A low-level hamstring, so we're hoping it is a week or so."
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Mateo Kovacic
Kovacic was substituted early during the second half of the 3-2 defeat to West Ham last Wednesday after picking up a knock.
The Croation subsequently missed the visit of Watford and will miss out against the Eagles but could return next week for the meeting with Sheffield United.
Lampard said: "Kovacic trained with us today but not ready for this game. Hopefully the next."
Jorginho is likely to step into midfield, having been an unused substitute in Chelsea's past four matches.
Fikayo Tomori
Tomori had been closing in on a return to action after suffering a muscle injury in training ahead of the Premier League restart.
However, the 22-year-old has suffered a setback and is another who is targeting the clash with Sheffield nite for a comeback.
"[Fikayo] Tomori is still not ready," said Lampard.
"He had a small setback in training. Hopefully [available] next week."
Marco van Ginkel
Van Ginkel has been sidelined for nearly two years with a serious knee injury but recently signed a 12-month contract extension at Stamford Bridge.
The Dutchman is steadily working his way back to full fitness and has been stepping up his recovery during the coronavirus lockdown.
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