Frank Lampard said Reece James suffered a “small” hamstring injury but Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva were only rested in 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Monday.
Having played against Arsenal just two days before, the Chelsea manager made six changes in his line-up against Villa.
At the back, only Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy kept their spots.
Lampard explained his decisions after the game as he delivers injury news on James.
“It was a mixture for us today because I had some ideas to make changes anyway because we have a squad of people who are ready to play,” Lampard said in his post-match press conference (via Hayters TV).
“Reece James has got a small hamstring issue.
“I am not saying that’s why [Cesar] Azpi played because I probably would have played him anyway.”
Lampard added that he decided to rest both Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma.
While James is expected to be rested after reportedly suffering a knee injury that might need surgery (Telegraph), the hamstring problem is likely a fresh injury.
Lampard described it as a minor injury, but James didn’t even make the bench against Villa.
And it remains to be seen whether he will be ready for Sunday’s clash against Manchester City.
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