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Jonathan Low & Andy Ha & Joe Doyle

Ziyech, James, Zouma, Thiago Silva: Chelsea team news and injury updates ahead of Man City

Chelsea are preparing to welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge this afternoon as Frank Lampard's side look to return to winning ways.

They face a City side who have had an extra few days of rest after their game against Everton on Tuesday was postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club.

However, City have reopened their training ground and have undergone another round of testing, and the game against Chelsea is on as it stands.

With that in mind, here is a round-up of all the very latest injury news for the Blues ahead of the game.

Frank Lampard previews Chelsea vs Man City

Reece James

Right-back James is out of the Man City clash because of a hamstring problem, Lampard has confirmed.

The England international missed the draw against Aston Villa with the same issue, and Blues boss Lampard has now issued an update on the defender.

"Reece James is out. Reece has got a small hamstring problem."

Hakim Ziyech

Though Lampard delivered bad news on James, the Chelsea boss was able to deliver a more encouraging update on the condition of Ziyech.

The Moroccan international has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during Chelsea's 3-1 win over Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United on December 5.

Originally, it was hoped that the midfield architect would have returned for Boxing Day's clash with Arsenal, though that date proved to be too soon. He also missed the clash with Villa 48 hours later.

However, Lampard has revealed that he could make a return to action against City on Sunday, having been in full training in recent days.

The Chelsea boss said: "He’s fit to train. He’s trained for the last two or three days. I will make the decision as to whether he is ready to start."

Elsewhere, Kurt Zouma was left out of the squad entirely against Villa, but Lampard confirmed after the game that the Frenchman was rested as a precaution, while Thiago Silva was among the substitutes for the same reason.

"Thiago Silva I think at his age I had to consider the games. Kurt Zouma’s played a lot of games himself."

Timo Werner was omitted from the starting line-up against Aston Villa, but the German was not injured as he emerged as a second half substitute for Olivier Giroud as Chelsea searched for a winner. The former RB Leipzig striker is fine and in contention for the Manchester City clash.

Tammy Abraham was an unused substitute against his former club on loan, but the England international is also fit and available for selection.

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