Frank Lampard has said that Tammy Abraham has avoided a fractured ankle but doubt remains over when the Chelsea striker will be available for selection.
Abraham hobbled off during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday and Lampard said the 22-year-old, who is out of Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Hull City, faces a battle to recover for next weekend’s trip to Leicester City in the Premier League.
Lampard will not want to be without Abraham, who has scored 15 goals in all competitions, for an extended period. Chelsea are struggling in front of goal and Abraham’s understudies have not convinced, with Michy Batshuayi failing to impress during his substitute appearances and Olivier Giroud desperate to join Internazionale.
“The good news is he hasn’t fractured anything,” Lampard said. “We were worried about a hairline fracture. The other news is we still have to see how he develops. It’s not a clear-cut one. He’s not fit for the weekend but whether he’ll be fit for Leicester after that I’m still not sure. I haven’t got great news, or the news for you. It’s still not clear.”
Chelsea are keen to bring in more firepower. They have explored the possibility of signing Edinson Cavani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain but the forward favours a permanent move to Atlético Madrid.
“It’s not the ideal window,” Lampard said. “I think history’s proven that, albeit there have been some good signings in January for clubs that have made a difference both long-term and short-term. I think it’s about trying to get the choice right of the player that we can bring in considering what’s available.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s form has been poor and Lampard, who is interested in Burnley’s Nick Pope, indicated the goalkeeper had to improve after being asked whether he would try to strengthen that position this month.
“I am not looking at it now,” Lampard said. “I am not affected by criticism from the outside as much. I am aware of it, not affected by it. It is what I want for the team and I think with Kepa he knows, he’ll be honest, that there have been some mistakes that have cost us goals. It is the nature of it, so that needs to improve.”
Lampard was asked about his interest in the Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumaré. “I am aware of him as a player but he is not on our radar for this window,” he said. “We played against him but he is not one on the immediate radar. Albeit he is a good player, but he is another club’s player.”
