Chelsea assessing Loftus-Cheek injury

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is struggling with a leg injury and could be unavailable for Chelsea’s game against Cardiff on Saturday.

The midfielder suffered the injury playing for England against Switzerland this week and is being assessed. [phone]

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Meanwhile, Emerson and Davide Zappacosta could also be unavailable for the match at Stamford Bridge, because of illness.

Reports have suggested Loftus-Cheek faces at least a fortnight on the sidelines and is therefore set to miss Thursday’s Europa League game against PAOK Salonika and the following week’s Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool – matches he would have expected to play in.

However, speaking at a media conference on Friday afternoon, Blues head coach Maurizio Sarri did not entirely rule Loftus-Cheek out of this weekend’s match.

Sarri said: “Yesterday there were some some problems with a fever and a sore throat for Emerson and Zappacosta.

“And there was a bit of a problem after the match with the national team for Loftus-Cheek with his right tibia.

“But I don’t know the situation because I have to speak to the doctor. I don’t know if tomorrow he will be able to play. I have to speak with the doctor and see the last training session.”

‘Best news’

Chelsea have received some positive news on Cesc Fabregas, who was sidelined by a knee problem prior to the international break.

Fabregas has returned to training and could be considered for a place on the bench against Cardiff but looks more likely to return to the squad on Thursday.

Sarri said: “The best news is Fabregas. He is training with the team so now only has to improve his physical condition. I think in a few days or one week he will be ready.

“At the moment Fabregas can be available for the bench but I want to speak to him because I think it’s maybe better to have two days of training.”

Meanwhile, Sarri has said he would like John Terry to return to Chelsea in a coaching role.

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