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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Gareth Bicknell

Four transfers Chelsea could make after Tammy Abraham injury blow for Frank Lampard

Chelsea are still sweating on the severity of Tammy Abraham's ankle injury - and Frank Lampard is now expected to step up his January pursuit of a new striker.

Boss Lampard confirmed the England hitman will miss Saturday's FA Cup trip to Hull, but conceded the Blues are still waiting to find out how long he will be sidelined.

Abraham limped off the field at full-time after Chelsea's 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Speaking at his press conference on Friday, the Blues boss admitted Abraham's injury is "very relevant" to the club's striker search.

So, who could they sign before the transfer window slams shut next week? Here, Mirror Sport takes a look at four options...

Frank Lampard must find a striker to fill in for Tammy Abraham, who has suffered an ankle injury (AFP via Getty Images)

Edinson Cavani (Paris-Saint Germain)

Edinson Cavani is being courted by several clubs but Atletico Madrid are leading the race (REUTERS)

One of the finest forwards of recent times in European football, Cavani has been linked with both Chelsea and Manchester United in the January transfer window. However, Atletico Madrid remain the front-runners for his signature.

Will it happen? Cavani appears to have his heart set on a move to Atletico Madrid and will command big wages. However, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is expected to back Lampard in obtaining the manager he needs to improve the squad, and it may be that the London club can gazump Atleti. Likelihood: 7/10

Moussa Dembele (Lyon)

Moussa Dembele is another player being linked with several clubs (AFP via Getty Images)

Dembele is hot property after scoring 11 goals in 19 Ligue 1 games for Lyon this season and is another player who has been linked with United as well as Chelsea.

But Lampard has denied that Chelsea have any interest in the 23-year-old striker, Lyon have said they are not interested in selling him this month, and the player himself has insisted he will stay with the French club until at least the end of the season.

Will it happen? Based on the above, Dembele isn't likely to join Chelsea in the January transfer window - but he will be one to watch this summer. 5/10

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

A winger rather than a centre forward, but Zaha would nevertheless revitalise Chelsea's attack and could provide the ammunition for Michy Batshuayi while Abraham is sidelined. A move to one of the Premier League big boys seems inevitable at some stage after he handed in a transfer request last summer.

Will it happen? Crystal Palace rejected bids from Arsenal and Everton last summer and are unlikely to be pressured into selling this month. Plus, recent reports suggested Lampard was more interested in Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho. 5/10

Which brings us onto...

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)

Winger Jadon Sancho has scored 11 Bundesliga goals so far this season (REUTERS)

Sancho has been in excellent form again this season, having scored 11 Bundesliga goals so far - including eight in his last eight outings - and contributed 12 assists.

However, at one stage he appeared set for a January move after a number of off-field issues, including reporting back to training late following international duty with England.

Will it happen? Despite those off-field issues, Dortmund appear determined to keep hold of Sancho until at least the end of the season. But come the summer there will doubtless be a clamour for his signature, with Manchester Unite, Manchester City and Liverpool all expected to be in the race. 6/10

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