Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is considering the possibility of adopting false nine as his No 1 striker Tammy Abraham is injured, and is planning to deploy Christian Pulisic for the role.

The hip problem sustained by Abraham in Valencia ruled the striker out of Saturday’s derby with the Hammers, forcing Lampard to shuffle his pack.

Olivier Giroud replaced the England international up front for his first start in any competition since Chelsea’s second league game of the season, against Leicester.

With 20 minutes remaining on Saturday, Lampard replaced Giroud with Callum Hudson-Odoi and shifted Pulisic into a central striking position.

The Blues manager considered if that could be an option while Abraham remains out.

Lampard said: “We’ll see. He does have an ability to run behind the line, and to be sharp in central areas which will naturally get him more goals.

“I am not going to say right now if that is the solution, but we will see as we go forward.”

Finally, Lampard had the latest on Abraham, who will be desperate to be back and available for Aston Villa’s visit on Wednesday.

As a loanee last season, Abraham scored 26 goals for Dean Smith’s side on their way to promotion.

‘We will find out more today and tomorrow,’ reported Lampard.

‘He needs to get outside and move a little bit outside over the next two days.’