Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech could make injury return against Manchester City... if game goes ahead

Return looming: Hakim Ziyech could play for Chelsea against Manchester City on Sunday... but it’s not yet known if the match will go ahead as planned
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Hakim Ziyech is battling to be fit for Chelsea’s proposed clash with Manchester City on Sunday.

The Morocco winger has been out of action since the start of the month after suffering a hamstring strain.

He had targeted a return on Boxing Day – but his recovery has taken longer than expected.

Frank Lampard revealed he is now nearing a comeback, with City a possibility, if that game goes ahead after Pep Guardiola’s side suffered an outbreak of positive Covid-19 tests.

Lampard is eager to get Ziyech back in his team, with Monday’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa making it just one win from six games without the former Ajax player.

Lampard said: “I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I can’t rely completely on it. You never know the level of how much you are affected, even if it seems clear on points because that’s not something certain.

“But I think with Hakim the way he was playing, he was being very effective for us in terms of assists, goal creation, chance creation and some goals. And also a real confidence in the way he was playing and we were very fluid at the time.

“He got injured against Leeds when we were in a great run of form, so I think it has been a point. You are going to miss players at that level when they drop out and we want him back.”

Lampard added: “There is a possibility he could be fit for Manchester City if it goes ahead on Sunday. I will know that later in the week, but he is certainly progressing to the point where he is very close to fitness.”

Lampard had demanded a reaction from his players following the Boxing Day defeat to Arsenal and insisted he was pleased with their response against Villa.

“It was a draw against a good team,” he said. “The performance was good. I thought we deserved to win the game but we didn’t.

“We’ve come through a difficult patch knowing we want to improve. Where it’s left us is we saw a side today that showed the attitude of the team, the fight, without having the final bit in the final third.

“We just have to do more of the same. We’ve had a funny patch but it remains close at the top of the league. Off a really good run we’ve had a difficult time and today I saw some really good signs out there.

“When things are going well it’s pretty easy. We were on a long unbeaten run and playing well, but not too many levels up from what we were playing today.

“When I said I thought we’d have won a month ago, I felt when you’re in a good run the ball goes in the back of the net more - Christian’s (Pulisic) chances, the chances at the end of the game. Their goal happened when we were a man down and lucky or whatever you want to call it. And that’s just football.

“I think it’s a positive for our lads to understand that. If we keep playing with that attitude we’ll get back to winning, which we’ve had a short period where we haven’t been.”

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