Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has revealed he expects Timo Werner to be fully fit to face Liverpool on Sunday, but winger Christian Pulisic still has some work to do after aggravating an injury in training.
Werner played the full 90 minutes of the Blues' 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday, but appeared to pick up a knock in the process of winning a first-half penalty.
Penalty to #CFC!#BHAFC implode as Alzate gifts possession and Werner is brought down by Ryan!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2020
Should he have been sent off?
? Watch on Sky Sports PL
? Follow #BHACHE here: https://t.co/LESAnyvh5q
? Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/yWGvSbD19G
Speaking after the game (via Goal), Lampard confirmed that the debutant did pick up a minor leg injury when he was brought down by goalkeeper Mat Ryan, but he does not expect it to have any lasting impact on Werner.
"Timo took the knock when he won the penalty," he said. "It's more of a dead leg we hope so I wouldn't think too much in terms of next week there. But I would like to think if it's a dead leg we've got a bit of time for him to get back and right and he obviously finished the game from having that earlyish kind of knock."
Werner himself confirmed to Sky Sports (via the Evening Standard) that the dead leg did restrict him for the majority of his debut, adding: "I don't care about this [injury]. In one week it will be good. Of course [I'll be fit for Liverpool] – for games like this, you’re always fit.”
However, the same optimism wasn't directed towards Pulisic, who was believed to be in contention for Monday's game after overcoming a hamstring injury, only to be surprisingly omitted from the matchday squad entirely.
"Christian was training with us last week, but he had a little bit of discomfort a couple of days ago where he was trying to train with us and being in contention for today, it would've been a big ask for today," Lampard added.
"But he's had to take a few steps back so we'll have to see so that's one I don't have big news on at the minute. We'll see."
Chelsea didn't need Pulisic to get past Brighton on Monday as goals from Jorginho, Reece James and Kurt Zouma steered the Blues to a perfect start to the season.
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!
Source : 90min