Chelsea take on Everton in the Premier League this weekend and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not be fit to play a part.
The midfielder picked up a heel injury during a post-season friendly in Boston in May and he’s been trying to make a recovery ever since.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is yet to play a single minute of football this season but there had been whispers that the England international is very close to a return and is expected to make a comeback any time now.
But the Chelsea boss has come out to clear the air saying Ruben Loftus-Cheek has suffered a number of setbacks during his rehab which means his return date has now been pushed back indefinitely.
“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.”
This is a big setback for Lampard since the manager would have wanted him fully fit especially during a season when he could not buy any new players.
But in all fairness, Chelsea have done pretty well without the midfielder and it is actually Ruben Loftus-Cheek whose career at Stamford Bridge might be at jeopardy.
In the absence of the 23-year-old, players like Mason Mount have really moved up the pecking order under Frank Lampard meaning, Loftus-Cheek will have to work really hard in order to get back into the match-day squad once he becomes fully fit.
As of now though, the midfielder is not close to making a full recovery meaning he will not be a part of the Everton vs Chelsea game on Saturday.
