Chelsea sweat on injured duo as Lampard and Luiz face race to be fit for league opener

By Sami Mokbel

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Frank Lampard and David Luiz are facing a race against time to prove their fitness for Chelsea’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Hull on August 18.

Lampard has completed just 45 minutes of the pre-season campaign due to an achilles injury, while Luiz has missed the last two games with a hamstring strain.

Worrying: Lampard (left) has played just 45 minutes of the pre-season campaign

Worrying: Lampard (left) has played just 45 minutes of the pre-season campaign

Torn: Luiz has missed the last two pre-season games with a hamstring strain

Torn: Luiz has missed the last two pre-season games with a hamstring strain

The pair could feature in the final pre-season clash against Roma here in Washington DC during the early hours of of Sunday. But manager Jose Mourinho insists he will not be taking any risks.

‘Frank still has to train. He has to play against Roma. He played 45 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday, maybe he plays 60 minutes against Roma. 

‘He is in the England squad so it will be good if he plays a part against Scotland.

‘But his pre-season has seen him train for a week and then stop for two weeks. He is coming back again, we are calm. We know the stages of recovery.’

Opener: Mourinho (centre) must assess the duo before the season begins against Hull on August 18

Opener: Mourinho (centre) must assess the duo before the season begins against Hull on August 18

And on Luiz, Mourinho said: ‘If he does miss the start of the season, it’s only because of his injury. That’s why I’m not risking him.

‘He’s had good sessions in DC with the fitness guys. The team with Luiz are a better team but we don’t risk players in pre season.

'David had an injury from before the Europa League final and still has little things with it, so we stopped.’

 

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