Frank Lampard has confirmed that Ruben Loftus-Cheek will work with the Chelsea FC Under-23s during the Premier League’s winter break as he bids to regain full match fitness.
The midfielder has been training with the first team at Cobham in recent days as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury lay-off. The England midfielder has been sidelined since rupturing his Achilles tendon on May, with the 24-year-old enduring a number of setbacks on his road to recovery.
Loftus-Cheek will now be hoping to make himself available for the Blues as quickly as possible as he bids to try and earn a spot in Lampard’s side between now and the end of the season. Chelsea FC will have next weekend off as they enjoy a rare break from Premier League action, with the Blues’ next game coming on 17 February when they host Manchester United.
However, while the first team enjoy some well-earned time off, Lampard has confirmed that Loftus-Cheek will remain with the Under-23s to continue to work on his fitness levels.
Speaking at a news conference last Friday, Lampard said: ‘Where we are having a bit of time off for the players, he [Loftus-Cheek] won’t, he’ll be working.
‘He’ll be with the under-23s to try and get some minutes. He’ll have to get some minutes. He’s had a full week of training with us for the first time and he has come through it.
‘It’d great to see him but he looks short, he knows he’s short, you couldn’t not be after he has been out for so long. ‘So yes, 23s progression and hopefully after the break we can talk about him more when he is going to come back into the squad.’ Chelsea FC are currently in fourth place in the Premier League table as they chase Champions League qualification in Lampard’s first campaign in charge at the club.