Chelsea manager confirms injury blow ahead of Arsenal clash

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has confirmed an injury blow for one of the club's defenders ahead of the Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday.

The west London giants have won just two of their previous seven league games and they are presently clinging onto the fourth spot with a two-point advantage over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

As a result, the Blues need to return to winning ways in the cross-town derby but they will be without the services of Reece James, who is still recovering from an ankle problem.

“Marcos Alonso picked up a muscle injury against Tottenham but hopefully he’ll be back for Arsenal. Reece James won’t [be fit to face Arsenal]. He has an ankle issue at the moment,” he told the club's official website.

James is now expected to miss two league games on the bounce but the Blues could welcome the return of Marcos Alonso, who was sidelined for the Southampton game on Boxing Day with a muscle injury.

The west London giants have fared better on the road than at Stamford Bridge this season. They have won six of their nine Premier League matches away from home.