FIKAYO TOMORI’S hopes of a loan move away from Chelsea look to have been scuppered by a knee injury suffered by Andreas Christensen.
Tomori had been hoping to secure a temporary deal this month after finding his first team chances limited at Stamford Bridge this season.
Chelsea will not let Leeds and Newcastle loan target Fikayo Tomori leave this monthCredit: Rex Features
Tomori is needed as cover following Andreas Christensen’s knee injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But centre-back Christensen has undergone scans on the injury suffered in the draw with Aston Villa.
And the club fear that will leave him sidelined for a period.
That leaves Chelsea boss Frank Lampard short of defensive options.
And Tomori is now seen as needed in the first team squad for the foreseeable future.
Newcastle had shown an interest in taking the 23-year-old on loan until the end of the season.
And Leeds have also been linked with Marcelo Bielsa seeing key defenders ruled out through injury.
But if Christensen is ruled out for several weeks, Lampard would need the England star to provide cover for the hectic period of games over the coming month.
Veteran Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma are the first choice pairing in the middle of defence.
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And aside from Tomori, only Toni Rudiger is the other recognised central defender who would be available.
Cesar Azpilicueta could also play as a makeshift centre-back.
But with Reece James currently injured, he is needed to fill in at right back.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk