BREAKING NEWS

Lampard Reveals Team News For West Ham Clash

Frank Lampard says Dominic Calvert-Lewin is "in a really good place" after a productive period of work during the international break - but will be without Fabian Delph for Sunday's Premier League trip to West Ham United (2pm BST).

Delph has been sidelined with a troublesome thigh injury since mid-December and, despite rejoining First-Team training last week, boss Lampard says the midfielder is "a week or so" away from being available for selection.

Allan, meanwhile, serves the second game of a three-match suspension following his controversial red card in the 1-0 home win over Newcastle United last month.

Andros Townsend (knee), Yerry Mina (quadriceps) and Tom Davies (hamstring) remain sidelined, although Lampard revealed he hoped to have centre-back Mina available again "within the next couple of weeks".


"The break has been positive for Dominic [Calvert-Lewin]," said Lampard in Friday's pre-match press conference. "I haven't had the benefit of having him for many league games - just three starts for us - and he was playing short of fitness. Not short, short, but a striker wants and needs to be 100 per cent.

"We've worked well, really closely with him over the past couple of weeks. Without putting unnecessary pressure on him, because it's tough to be a striker with expectation, he's in a really good place.

"Fabian Delph, we're hoping, is another week or so [away from returning] but it's been a slightly complicated injury. It will be a big plus for us to have him in the squad, particularly in that area where we do have some issues.

"Andros Townsend, as we know, is a long-term injury. We all feel a lot for him there. It's a difficult time for Andros but we'll support him and he'll be back strong, because of the lad he is."

On Mina's recovery, Lampard added: "Yerry should be, hopefully, back with us within the next couple of weeks.

"He is a big player for us - an international player, a player of stature, a player with personality, a big personality in the dressing room. I knew that from before I came and I know that from being here now, even though, unfortunately, I've not had much on-pitch time to work with him. 

"If you miss a player of that level, particularly in an area of the pitch where you want stability at centre-back, then it's difficult.

"They bring you not just quality, but the right competition and they drive the team. In our position, centre-back is a crucial area. He's been a big miss and when he does come back it'll be a big bonus for us."