Lampard Allays Fears Over Rudiger Injury
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has eased concerns among the club’s fans about the groin injury that forced Antonio Rudiger off at half-time against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday.
Rudiger, who had not played a competitive game for Chelsea since hurting his knee against Manchester United in April, was making his first start of the season for the Blues.
The 26-year-old’s afternoon was however prematurely curtailed when he suffered what appeared to be a groin injury and had to be replaced by Kurt Zouma at half-time.
Chelsea were 3-0 up by the time Rudiger departed but the visitors conceded two goals after half-time to take their number of goals conceded to eleven in just five games.
After the game Lampard revealed Rudiger’s substitution was merely a precaution and was hopeful of the former AS Roma defender being ready for Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League opener against Valencia at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
"He's had a groin issue which he bothered as he came off the pitch near me - he slipped onto the metal which made him have to slide and adjust himself so he bothered his groin," Lampard explained in his post-match news conference.
"He ran off the pitch and unfortunately he bothered it then. It's a quick turnaround but hopefully [he can play Valencia]. Hopefully not too bad.
"It's more of a precaution because he did feel some pain, so we'll assess it over the next couple of days."
