Chelsea injury news and return dates for Real Madrid clash amid Kante update

 

Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante: Chelsea injury news and return dates ahead of Real Madrid clash

Chelsea injury news: The latest updates from the treatment room at Cobham training ground ahead of Chelsea's clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final

N'Golo Kante of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on April 7, 2023

Chelsea injury news and return dates for Real Madrid clash amid Kante update (Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Frank Lampard could have too many players to choose from ahead of Chelsea's clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday night. The 44-year-old has plenty of options at his disposal for the Champions League quarter-final first-leg, with only Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, Mason Mount and Armando Broja injured in the first-team.

Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana have recently returned to action, which come as huge boosts for the Blues. With a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu in a few days, Lampard decided to rest N'Golo Kante as well as numerous other players like Hakim Ziyech.

The Chelsea caretaker manager signed the Morocco international during his first spell in the dugout. Ziyech was a key feature in Lampard's starting lineup and, while he may face an uncertain future, a surprise return to the side could be on the cards.

So, with that being said, football.london takes a look at the latest injury news for Lampard's first match back in charge for the Blues.

Mason Mount

Mount has been nursing a various minor injuries recently, having last played for Chelsea in February. The midfielder trained as normal this week ahead of the clash with Wolves, but it's believed he sustained the setback on Friday.

What Lampard said: "Mason, had a feeling in his pelvic area. Injury that he's been carrying the last two days. He trained in those two days but was struggling a little bit."

Injury: Pelvis

Expected return date: Real Madrid (A) - April 12

N'Golo Kante

Kante was omitted from the travelling Chelsea squad to face Wolves over the weekend and, despite fears of an injury, the midfielder was rested as a precaution. The France international has only recently returned from a hamstring issue which he picked up in August.

The 32-year-old enjoyed a brief cameo off the bench against Aston Villa before leading Chelsea out against Liverpool with the captain's armband. After missing the clash at Molineux, Lampard is hopeful that Kante will be ready and raring to go in the Spanish capital as the Blues look to return to winning ways.

What Lampard said: "N'Golo will be fine as it stands now. Managing him to be fit for the game. Not an issue."

Injury: Hamstring

Expected return date: Real Madrid (A) - April 12

Raheem Sterling

After scoring a crucial goal against Borussia Dortmund, Sterling faced another brief spell out of the team with former boss Graham Potter confirming the winger had a fresh fitness concern. He was also left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for the international break as a precaution.

His spell on the treatment table is behind him though after featuring off the bench against Liverpool.

What Bruno said: "All fit [aside from outside of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva], just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit."

Injury: Hamstring

Expected return date: Returned

Cesar Azpilicueta

Azpilicueta sustained a concussion against Southampton following a collision with striker Sekou Mara. The defender left the pitch on a stretcher and was taken to hospital but he's on the mend now as he eyes a return in the coming weeks.

What Bruno said: "All fit [aside from Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva], just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit."

Injury: Concussion

Expected return date: April

Thiago Silva

Silva was forced off with a knee injury in the Blues' clash with Tottenham. The following Tuesday, Chelsea released a statement detailing his diagnosis. The time off has been detailed as roughly six weeks, meaning he should return to action in early April.

His wife has since posted a video of him getting treated at their home, writing on Instagram: "The needles are on top of the ligament, emitting shocks due to use, it hurts so much."

What Bruno said: "All fit [aside from outside of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva], just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit."

Injury: Knee

Expected return date: April

Edouard Mendy

In January, Chelsea confirmed that Mendy underwent surgery on a fractured finger which he sustained during training. After an extended period of time on the sidelines, the Senegal international appears to be back in contention for selection.

What Bruno said: "All fit [aside from outside of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva], just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit."

Injury: Finger

Expected return date: Returned

Wesley Fofana

Potter revealed Fofana had been taken off against Everton due to fatigue. The Chelsea boss claimed that the defender was simply 'feeling his hamstring' despite many suspecting he had picked up another injury.

Fofana was later spotted in the dugout at Stamford Bridge with an ice pack on his right thigh, leaving some supporters to fear the worst. The Frenchman returned to the starting lineup to face Liverpool as normal, which comes as a much welcomed boost.

What Bruno said: "All fit [aside from outside of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva], just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit."

Injury: Hamstring

Expected return date: Returned

Armando Broja

Chelsea have been without Broja for a while now after the striker suffered a knee injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.

He looked to be in considerable pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international had no history of knee injuries and his injury is a major blow.

Broja has been expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needed surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london reported at the time. However, he's recently been pictured back in individual training at Cobham, albeit mostly gym work.

What was said: ''It was just an unfortunate action. He got caught up with their player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment but it’s too early to say. Fingers crossed but it is an awkward one.''

Injury: Knee

Expected return date: Summer 2023

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