Frank Lampard fears grow over Christian Pulisic injury ahead of Man Utd showdown

Frank Lampard is growing increasingly concerned by the seriousness of the injury which has ruled Christian Pulisic out of Chelsea’s last six matches.

The America international hasn’t featured since the New Year’s Day draw at Brighton but his manager had hoped that a two-week winter break would provide the 21-year-old with an opportunity to recover from an Achilles strain.

According The Express, Lampard had hoped Pulisic would be in contention to feature in Monday’s match against top four rivals Manchester United at Stamford Bridge but that appears to be an increasingly remote possibility.

Pulisic endured a difficult start to his Premier League career, starting on the bench more often than not, but appeared to have won Lampard’s trust following his hat-trick in a 4-2 win at Burnley in October.

Three goals in his next six appearances followed, but his form deteriorated thereafter and injury has now further disrupted his season.

Lampard has been boosted by the return to form and fitness of Callum Hudson-Odoi, but the Chelsea boss had hoped Pulisic was on course to return and boost his attacking options ahead of United’s visit to west London.

Chelsea were hammered 4-0 at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the season but have since opened up a six point gap between themselves and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s inconsistent side.

Sheffield United are currently Chelsea’s nearest rivals for the final Champions League qualifying place and the Blades will leapfrog the Blues ahead of Monday’s heavyweight showdown if they beat struggling Brighton at home, albeit having played two games more.