Christian Pulisic hamstring injury not as bad as feared, says Chelsea manager Frank Lampard

ByEurosport

Updated 03/11/2020 at 16:09 GMT

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said Christian Pulisic's hamstring injury is not serious but the American winger will miss Wednesday's Champions League match at home to Stade Rennais. Pulisic suffered the injury during the warm-up against Burnley against Saturday and did not play in the match.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has expressed his relief that Christian Pulisic has avoided a serious hamstring injury.

Pulisic, who had returned in early October from a two-month injury layoff, pulled up during the warm-up at Burnley on Saturday and was withdrawn from the squad.

He will miss Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Rennes on Wednesday, but Lampard is hoping he will be available to return soon.

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"Christian had a scan yesterday which showed a very minor injury to his hamstring. He’s already back outside (on the training pitch)," Lampard said on Tuesday.

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"He made the right decision on not attempting to play the game. It is clearly a relief that he will be back very soon because he's an important player for us."

Lampard said Chelsea have been looking to manage Pulisic's workload to avoid another lengthy injury-enforced absence.

"We were looking at ways of managing Christian and being proactive and hopefully not getting too many injuries," Lampard added.

"With the actual muscle injuries, it’s a hard one to call, it’s forever going to be a challenge. Some players that play on the edge, have such speed and acceleration in their game, maybe they can be more susceptible. I don’t think that’s a one-fits-all answer, because it’s different for everybody.

“From last season we were looking at ways of managing Christian and looking at ways of being proactive in not hopefully getting so many injuries, I know that’s something he’s experienced previously in his career at Dortmund as well.

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“So we’re all working in the same direction on that one, to try to get him to be as fit as regularly as possible, because we all know his talent.”

Chelsea host Rennes at Stamford Bridge in the first meeting between the two clubs, with Lampard hoping to build momentum after their unbeaten start in Group E.

Lampard's side have yet to concede a goal in Europe this season after a goalless draw in the opener against Sevilla was followed by a 4-0 victory over Krasnodar last week.

"The clean sheets have been great and we are adding goals and a threat in offensive positions... but it is still a work in progress."

Additional reporting by Reuters

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