Mason Mount’s chances of playing vs Newcastle revealed as Lampard rules 23-year-old out

Mason Mount could have played his final game for Chelsea after Frank Lampard confirmed he is a major doubt to face Newcastle United.

The 24-year-old’s future at Chelsea is extremely uncertain following no contract renewal agreement with the club, and Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are all showing strong interest in the England international.

It’s been reported that Man United, who are preparing a £55 million bid, is likely to be his preferred destination this summer should he leave, but Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea haven’t entirely given up yet on losing Mount, who is out of contract next summer.

Mount is currently recovering from a pelvic injury and the chances of his return before the end of the season have been slim. Lampard put the final week of the season as a potential return date for the midfielder, but the Chelsea caretaker boss says it will be ‘really tight’.

“Mason is going to be really tight,” confirmed the 44-year-old ahead of the clash against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

Prior to Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat to Man United, Lampard commented on Mount’s future and hinted that an exit could be nearing. He told Sky Sports: “From working with Mason, you really feel the club when you’ve been in the academy since the age of eight. I don’t know what the situation is, because it’s a club and Mason issue.

“I know he’s held in high regard at the club. I know they are trying to do what they can to make him stay.

“I’d never want to speak about what a player should do. It’s a shame we’ve got into this situation where it looks like it is happening maybe now.”

Meanwhile, Reece James has been recovering from a hamstring injury. He won’t be fit for Sunday’s clash and will have to wait until next season before making his return, with Lampard confirming the reported setback in training as they await the scan results.

“Reece won’t be fit (for Sunday),” revealed the Chelsea caretaker boss.

Lampard added: “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.”

Chelsea are also set to be without Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Armando Broja.

Thiago Silva (rest) and Raheem Sterling (hamstring) both missed the defeat to Man United, but Lampard is hoping to have both available for Sunday’s finale.

“Thiago has played a lot of games,” Lampard told Sky Sports. “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.”

On Sterling, Lampard revealed: “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.”