Long-serving duo John Terry and Frank Lampard will not make their Chelsea comebacks in the London derby against West Ham United on Saturday.
Terry has recovered sooner than expected from a knee injury suffered against Liverpool that had initially ruled him out until Christmas.
Both he and Lampard, who picked up a calf problem in the Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk last month, have returned to Blues training this week.
However, interim manager Rafael Benitez has insisted he will not rush the influential pair back to action - meaning that Lampard will miss the clash with his former club.
Daniel Sturridge is also unavailable for the trip to Upton Park, leaving under-pressure striker Fernando Torres to lead Chelsea's attack again.
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
