Frank Lampard has provided an injury update on Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount ahead of the Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
Silva has missed Chelsea’s last six Premier League matches with ligament problems but is ready to return for Wednesday’s quarter-final showdown.
Kante was absent from the squad on Saturday as Chelsea lost 1-0 to Wolves in what was Lampard’s first game back at Stamford Bridge in his second spell as head coach but he will also be available for the first-leg meeting in Spain.
Mount is set to return too, having not played any minutes across Chelsea’s last six games in the top-flight amid struggles with a bruised pelvis.
‘They’re all fit,’ Lampard said in his pre-match press conference. ‘The players you mentioned are all in the squad [for tomorrow], they’re good and they’re here.’
Quizzed specifically about Kante, who has missed the majority of the season with a hamstring injury and has played just four matches – none in the Champions League – Lampard added: ‘I think N’Golo is a special player.
‘I understand what you mean about consistency and the problems he has had with injuries.
‘But in terms of coming back and playing at a really high level… I’ve witnessed him.
‘He did it for me the Super Cup final against Liverpool a couple of years ago. He had to pass a fitness test and was the best player on the pitch for 120 minutes.
‘He has the capacity to do that, because he is a special player. Hopefully he can do that again for us.
‘We miss him because of how good he is. It’s a positive that he is back, for sure.’
Kante, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season but the France international midfielder is on the verge of extending his current deal.
MORE : Ben Chilwell signs new Chelsea deal in transfer blow to Man City
MORE : Enzo Fernandez gives Chelsea board his recommendation for next permanent manager
