Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard is still unsure when Ruben Loftus-Cheek will return from his Achilles injury.
Loftus-Cheek has been out of action since picking up a serious Achilles injury in May in a post-season friendly against New England Revolution but he recently posted an update where he was performing some lightweight training.
As a result, there has been optimism among the fans that he may not be far off from a comeback but when asked about the same, Lampard has refused to state a proper timescale.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Lampard revealed that Loftus-Cheek has not sustained any recurrence of his injury but he has not recovered as planned.
“He’s had a few setbacks over the last two months,” said Lampard.
“He hasn’t had a new one, but he’s not flying along as much as we would want, and it’s not for the want of trying from everybody.
“For Ruben himself, of course, there’s nothing worse than being injured. But at the moment he’s no closer to being fit.”
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has kept himself busy while out injured as the Chelsea midfielder-turned-model linked up with fashion brand Burberry to show off clothes worth £5,000. The 23-year-old, who had Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife Carla Bruni sat on his knee for the brand’s Christmas photoshoot, shows off a black suit worth £2,290 and a double-faced wool duffle coat worth £2,250.
Loftus-Cheek is not expected to play for Chelsea this year and will face a tough task to regain his place in Chelsea’s midfield with Mason Mount establishing himself in the box to box role this season.
Chelsea beat Aston Villa on Wednesday night as Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham repaid Lampard’s faith in youth.
