Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has explained Ross Barkley’s injury “looks a bit nasty” but he is waiting for a doctor’s assessment before making a final call on the English midfielder and his availability for the game against Ajax.
Unfortunately for the Blues, Barkley was forced off after 43 minutes on Saturday’s in the 1-0 Premier League win against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge, hobbling off the pitch with a reported ankle problem to be replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
The England midfielder was ironically a starter for Chelsea because of the injured French midfielder N’golo Kante and Barkley is now expected to have tests ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League trip to the Netherlands in order to face Ajax.
Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta also suffered a knock in the closing stages of the game, but Lampard is hopeful the defender has not sustained any serious damage. Left-back Marcos Alonso’s 73rd-minute strike earned Chelsea the 1-0 win and an important three points for the west London side but Lampard was a bit more worried about his players getting back to full fitness.
After the game, the 41-year-old Lampard spoke to reporters and stated that Azpilicueta’s injury wasn’t too serious but Barkley turned his ankle and: “I think Azpi was alright, he didn’t say anything when he came off. Ross turned his ankle. It looks a bit nasty at first glance, but the doctor wants to have a look at it tomorrow. I have no more on that.”
Lampard was then asked if Barkley would be fit to face Ajax midweek and the Blues boss replied: “I genuinely don’t know. We will assess tomorrow.”
Chelsea’s win pushed them up to fourth place in the Premier League table and it was the London outfit’s fifth win in a row in all competitions.
