Chelsea hopeful over Pedro and Rudiger

Maurizio Sarri does not believe an injury Antonio Rudiger picked up against West Ham is serious and the Chelsea boss hopes to have Pedro back for next weekend’s game against Liverpool.

Defender Rudiger went off during the second half of the Blues’ 0-0 draw at the London Stadium.

Asked about the German’s injury, boss Sarri said: “I don’t know. I want to speak with the doctor but I think it is nothing serious – maybe three or four days.”

Chelsea face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and then in the Premier League on Saturday, by which time Pedro could be available.

Pedro missed the West Ham game with a shoulder injury he suffered during Thursday’s Europa League win against PAOK.

Sarri said: “Pedro for us is very important because he is the best player we have with the movement without the ball. So in this moment of the season he is very important.

“We are trying to have him at the end of the week, but I don’t know.”