Lampard: Tammy is okay, but in pain

Frank Lampard has had a horrid week as head coach of his beloved Blues, writes Paul Lagan.

But he is hoping that the tide has turned in their favour, and Saturday’s visit to Goodison Park in the league is the springboard for cementing a top four finish.

Before last night’s home game against Aston Villa – the result was not known before we went to press – the Blues had back-to-back Premier League defeats – Saturday’s 1-0 loss to West Ham particularly painful for the ex-Hammer.

Lampard will be keen that star striker Tammy Abraham is back.

The 20-year-old forward was a possible starter for last night’s game after damaging his hip in the Champions League match last week in Valencia – he missed Saturday’s defeat.

Lampard will play him against the Toffeemen if he is ready.

He said: “Tammy is okay. We are going to give him every possible chance to be fit. There is still some pain in the area of the injury.

“It is painful for him and it does affect his movement.

“He was in good form, and when a player is important, as they all should be, you try to give as much time as possible. You need them to be keen, he is always keen, so he is trying his best and we are trying our best to give him time.

“If he is not ready then we have to go a different route.”

That route will be deciding between strikers Olivier Giroud or Michy Batshuayi.

Chelsea’s development squad were dumped out of the EFL at the knockout stage on Tuesday night at Walsall.

The young Blues went down 3-2 – despite taking a 2-0 first-half lead.

Both goals came from Tariq Lamptey. But they were overwhelmed in the second 45 minutes, succumbing to a 94th-minute goal