One key Chelsea player has been ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League match with Sheffield United.
The Evening Standard reports that Pedro will miss the game with a hamstring injury. The winger sustained the problem during the warm-up ahead of last weekend’s 3-2 win at Norwich City.
The player himself is said to have described the situation as a “disaster.” It will also be a blow to manager Frank Lampard, who clearly views the Spaniard as a key player.
Up until the Norwich game, Pedro had started all three of the Blues’ fixtures under Lampard. Although they did admittedly beat Norwich in his absence. Youngsters Tammy Abraham (twice) and Mason Mount scored the goals.
Who else is a doubt for Chelsea?
Meanwhile, Lampard has also revealed that N’Golo Kante remains a doubt. The midfielder has an ankle problem.
MORE UNITED STORIES
Kante also missed the victory at Carrow Road. Ahead of the international break, the France international still needs to prove his fitness.
“We knew he had that injury from the Europa League final last season – which affected his pre-season. Then he picked up an ankle injury last week,” Lampard told the club’s website.
“He’s trying and we are trying to get him through it, but the game yesterday just came too quickly and he was in too much pain.
“But again he is one to assess and we want him back in the team because he’s an important player. I think the international break will be great for him, to try and recover.”
While this is bad news for Lampard, it could give the Blades a boost ahead of arguably their toughest test yet since being promoted back to the top flight.
If Chris Wilder’s side could pick up at least a point in West London it would be considered a good result.