Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is pleased to have Toni Rudiger back in his squad after the German defender picked up an injury in September, but he will be without centre-back Fikayo Tomori and striker Olivier Giroud.
Tomori and Giroud were both absent from Chelsea’s training session and Lampard confirmed the defender has been given a few days off because of a strain.
“He’s got a tiny strain around his hip area,” Lampard said about Tomori.
“It’s been bothering him for a little bit, so he’s taken out of it for a few days.”
As a result of the injury to Tomori, Rudiger is expected to come straight back into the starting line-up tonight and will partner Kurt Zouma, with Emerson Palmieri and Cesar Azpilicueta on the left and right flanks respectively.
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“It would be a good achievement,” said Lampard.
“There are expectations we that would get through the group, I get that, but it was a tough group.
“The slightly young feel to our team, the fact we lost the first game, the few difficulties we have had, I think we have dealt with them very well to get into this position. There is still work to be done so we have to go out to win the game.
“There are opportunities now for the team, particularly the young boys, to make a mark. It’s good.
“I like the pressure of this game being knockout. If we’re going to do anything good here, we’re going to have to have lots of these nights.
“They’re crucial for the players because you can be defined as an individual and as a group by success.
“This means going into the next stage of the Champions League which is a place we want to be in, and another platform for the players to play.”
Chelsea predicted line-up vs Lille – Champions League
Chelsea (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Palmieri, Zouma, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Kante, Jorginho, Mount; Pulisic, Abraham, Willian