Frank Lampard has ruled Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger out of clash against Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The powerful German centre back slipped on a metal plate pitchside while retrieving the ball for a throw in his comeback game just two weeks ago and hurt his groin at Wolves.

‘Toni has got a recurring injury in his groin area, not the original knee injury,’ Lampard reported.

‘We are trying to find a solution because he has still got some pain. We’re hopeful it won’t be long but I haven’t got an end date for you. It’s an injury that is ongoing.’

But the Chelsea boss handed the club’s fans good news over Andreas Christensen and Olivier Giroud.

Christensen, who limped off in the first half of Chelsea clash against Liverpool last Sunday, is deemed fit to face Brighton.

Lampard said: ‘Andreas should be okay. He trained with us today. He has missed most of the week.

‘He still has a tiny bit of pain but it’s hopefully not a risk. He will be in the squad.’

Olivier Giroud has missed the last two games with a nasty illness, but Lampard said the Frenchman is over it now.

‘It’s been a difficult week for him because it was a strong illness that left him pretty weak. He’s been getting a bit of strength back this week and it’ll be touch and go to see if he is involved tomorrow.’

Lampard’s final updates regarded longer-term absentees Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and first Emerson Palmieri

‘Emerson now is going to be the other side of the international break with a hamstring injury.

‘Ruben we can’t give a date, but he’s outside jogging slowly. That’s a positive move for this week, it’s good to see him outside. We will see how that goes over the next weeks.’