Ruben Loftus-Cheek heading out on loan

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is close to making the loan move to Fulham, The Telegraph reports.

The England international has struggled for regular gametime since his recovery from a serious Achilles injury last year.

He made only nine appearances over the course of last season and things have not changed during the early stages of the current campaign.

Loftus-Cheek was in the starting lineup for the season opener at Brighton, but he has since been left out of the matchday squad for five straight games.

Frank Lampard has personally hinted that the midfielder could leave on loan and it is now revealed that he is on the cusp of joining the Cottagers.

Steve Parker's side have made a dreadful beginning to the current campaign and they have not registered a single point from the opening four games.

Signing a new midfielder is one of their priorities and they are currently in advanced negotiations over signing Loftus-Cheek on loan.

The west London side can't afford the player's £170,000-a-week wages and the Blues are likely to pay part of the salary during the temporary spell.