Chelsea injury news and expected return dates including Pulisic and Ziyech

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will hope to have a number of players back fit to face Liverpool this weekend.

The Blues host the reigning Premier League champions on Sunday afternoon as they look to make it two wins out of two following last weekend’s win over Brighton.

Lampard has been waiting anxiously over the fitness of the likes of Timo Werner, who picked up a knock on the south coast, and Christian Pulisic, who struggled a recovery setback last week, while Ben Chilwell is still a while away from making a return.

Here’s everything you need to know about Chelsea’s current injury list.

Ben Chilwell (Ankle)

Chilwell arrived from Leicester carrying an ankle problem that kept him out of the latter stages of last season.

The England international is now doing individual training as he seeks a return to action.

But it is fairly unlikely he will be back before the end of the month as he is not yet back in full training.

Expected return date: Oct 3 (vs Crystal Palace)

Thiago Silva (fitness)

Silva could make his first appearance for the club against Liverpool this weekend after a full week of training.

The Brazilian missed out on the trip to Brighton, but could well slot straight into the starting line up this weekend.

Expected return date: Sep 20 (vs Liverpool)

Hakim Ziyech (knee)

Moroccan playmaker Ziyech is still waiting on his first competitive start for the club after picking up an injury in the friendly at Brighton.

Lampard said last week: “Hakim Ziyech took an injury to a knee against Brighton [in a pre-season match] so won’t be fit. We hope it’s a matter of weeks, a couple of weeks but we have to see.”

It therefore looks unlikely he’ll back in time for this weekend, but the following weekend’s trip to West Brom appears to be the perfect opportunity.

Expected return date: Sep 26 (vs West Brom)

Christian Pulisic (Hamstring)

Having been left out last weekend due to a setback in his recovery, Lampard is set to name Pulisic in his squad to face Liverpool.

The Blues boss said ahead of the win over Brighton: “Christian was training with us last week but he had a bit of discomfort a couple of days ago when he was trying to be in contention for today.

”It would have been a big ask for today and he has had to take a few steps back and we will have to see.”

Expected return date: Sep 20 (vs Liverpool)

Timo Werner (Leg)

Timo Werner should start up front again for Chelsea this weekend against Liverpool, despite picking up a knock.

The Germany striker put in an impressive display on debut, but was seen having to ice his leg after colliding with Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan in the midst of winning a penalty.

Werner said: ”For the rest of the game, it hurt a lot and I couldn’t do some movements because the muscle went very hard, but at the end, I’m happy that we won.

And when asked if he’d be fit to face Liverpool, he added: “Of course. In games like this, you’re always fit.”

Expected return date: Sep 20 (vs Liverpool)

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