James, Silva, Mount, Sterling: Lampard offers latest Chelsea team news for Newcastle clash

Frank Lampard has confirmed the Chelsea team news to face Newcastle United on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

It’s Chelsea‘s final game of the 2022/23 Premier League, the end has finally come following an extremely disappointing campaign which will see them finish in the bottom half.

They face a Newcastle side who have already qualified for next season’s Champions League, while Lampard will manage his last game in caretaker charge of Chelsea in preparation for Mauricio Pochettino’s imminent appointment.

“This sounds corny, but I don’t feel like it’s a goodbye,” said Lampard ahead of his Stamford Bridge farewell.

He added: “I’ll never feel like I’m saying goodbye to the fans because my career has been my career. But when I say it, my career as a player and as a coach, the first time around and this period, it’s there. I live close enough to the stadium and I’ll be back at Chelsea many times.”

Lampard will hope to end on a positive note after eight defeats from his 10 games in charge.

Chelsea will be without Ben Chilwell, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Armando Broja for the final game of the season, unless there is positive progress and a change in fitness condition before Sunday’s outing.

Here is the full Chelsea team news for Sunday’s clash in the capital regarding Reece James, Thiago Silva, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling.

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Reece James

James won’t be fit to play in the final game of the season due to a hamstring injury. Lampard confirmed the minor setback on Thursday, revealing: “Reece won’t be fit and Mason is going to be really tight. He came out yesterday (Wednesday) and he went back in because he had a little bit of an awareness. But we hope that the scans say there is no real damage. It was one (that was just) probably a little bit of a reminder that it’s a bit too early to be out.”

Reece James on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/ueKq84RDRR

— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) May 26, 2023

Thiago Silva

The 38-year-old was rested against Man United but will return against Newcastle.

“Thiago has played a lot of games,” said Lampard. “There is no doubt he could play two games in three days and finish the season but at the same time I think it’s good for him to sit out and be ready for the weekend.”

Mason Mount

Mount has been struggling with a pelvic injury but in recent weeks returned to the grass as he continued his recovery to make his comeback.

The 24-year-old’s future is uncertain at Chelsea and he will leave should a new contract not be agreed with the Blues – Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all showing interest.

Whether or not Mount will be fit in time to face Newcastle remains unclear, which could mean he has played his final game for the club.

“Mason is going to be really tight,” confirmed Lampard on the midfielder’s fitness.

Raheem Sterling

The 28-year-old missed the defeat to United in midweek due to a minor hamstring issue, which also saw him not be included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Lampard confirmed Sterling’s involvement for Sunday, admitting he was hopeful he’d be available for selection.

“He had a small feeling in his hamstring at Manchester City at half time but carried on so it’s not a major issue but he hasn’t trained since that game so he is out and we are hoping he is involved at the weekend.”