Frank Lampard insists Mason Mount ‘has a chance’ of being selected for Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
The 20-year-old was forced off after just 16 minutes following a heavy challenge from Francis Coquelin in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Mount has not suffered ligament damage but was considered a major doubt to be fit enough for Liverpool’s visit to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this weekend.
Lampard, however, claims Mount is still in contention but admits he will not risk the midfielder, who has already scored three Premier League goals this season.
‘He’s got a chance, we all saw the image of the tackle made it look really bad,’ said Lampard. ‘But hopefully it’s not so bad, we’re trying to get him moving today. It’s one we’re going to have to call just before the game with 24 hours in the bank.
‘We’re trying, the good thing with Mason is his attitude, which I keep going on about, he’ll give everything to try to get out there and play for this club, particularly a game of this size. We’ll have every opportunity and try to get him there.
‘There was a lot of swelling, it didn’t look the best. I think some injuries with the ankle, from my experience as well, I’m not a doctor, if there’s proper damage there’s not much you can do.
‘But sometimes if they are swollen and you strap it up old school you get out there and it can be done. We won’t take any risks with him individually, obviously, because there’s a bigger picture, but we’ll do our best.’