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Chelsea injury update: Latest news on Christian Pulisic ahead of Rennes showdown
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has delivered a positive update on Christian Pulisic's hamstring injury ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Ligue 1 side Rennes
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Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has given an injury update on Christian Pulisic ahead of their Champions League clash against Rennes. The winger was set to start Saturday's Premier League win over Burnley but pulled out of the warm-up with a hamstring injury.
Pulisic won't be fit for Wednesday's Group H game against team-mate Edouard Mendy's former club Rennes at Stamford Bridg.
But Lampard is optimistic the 22-year-old will be back soon following a scan.
And he could even be considered for this Saturday's visit of Sheffield United, according to the manager.
"Christian had a scan yesterday, which showed a very minor injury to his hamstring," Lampard said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
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"It’s very minor, which is good, and he’s already back outside. He won’t be fit for tomorrow’s game but we will see after that.
"It’s a relief for the injury to be on the small side, of course, and it felt that way to Christian. He made the right decision to pull out against Burnley.
"We are pleased it’s not a serious injury and we hope to have him back very soon, because he’s an important player for us."
Pulisic missed almost three months of last season due to a groin injury and also suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup final in August which kept him out at the beginning of the current campaign.
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Such knocks are an occupational hazard for players with the kind of pace Pulisic possesses, and Lampard said he and his staff were considering how best to manage his fitness going forward.
"Muscle injuries are things you have to be careful with and some players who play on the edge and have speed could be more susceptible to them," said the manager.
"We are looking at ways to manage Christian, we are all working in the same direction on that front. We all know the talent he has and he’s a very important player for us."
Pulisic scored in last week's 4-0 win over Krasnodar, which came on the back of Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Sevilla in their Champions League opener.
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Lampard said of Chelsea's Champions League campaign so far: "We are happy with where we are in the group after two games, but we can't get complacent. We must stay on top of ourselves.
"The clean sheets have been great and we are adding goals and a threat in offensive positions. We always want to improve. We have seen some progression but it is a work in progress. We can't come off."
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is recovering from a shoulder injury ahead of Wednesday's game, while midfielder Billy Gilmour is still out with a knee injury.
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