Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will be hoping to welcome back Christian Pulisic ahead of the game against Manchester United next Monday.

The American international has missed the last five games due to an abductor muscle tear, and Lampard confirmed that the winger suffered a setback at the start of last week. He is touch and go for the United clash.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek should be back training with the first team after the winter break after stepping up his comeback for the Under 23s in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford B.

He won’t be involved in the squad for the United game, but it is hoped he will be involved in first-team action within the next few weeks. The midfielder has not played a senior game for nine months due to an Achilles injury.

Marco van Ginkel is back training at Cobham, but after an injury nightmare which has now lasted over eighteen months, it could still be a while before he is back available.