Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour could be sidelined for four months after knee injury according to Frank Lampard.
The Scottish international limped off during Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace following an innocuous collision with Luka Milivojević.
The young starlet is unlikely to play for the Blues until at least October, head coach Frank Lampard confirmed.
The 19-year old has had a breakthrough run this campaign despite only making six appearances.
“Billy had an operation on his knee, unfortunately, so he’ll be out for somewhere between three and four months,” Lampard told reporters.
“I’m obviously very disappointed, we all are and Billy is himself. I spoke with him on Thursday and just offered him some support, really.
“He’s a tough boy. It hit him hard – I get that as well, particularly as a younger player who’s just made his breakthrough in recent times and was doing so well – but it’s part of football and I tried to explain he can be very pleased with the impact he’s had this season.
“Part of our job as players is to get on with these things and learn our lesson quickly and his attitude will get him back as quick as he possibly can.
“His character is fantastic. Particularly with his age, the personality he has shown in getting in and around the first-team squad, getting himself into the team, I’m very sure he’ll show the same character and do everything right with the rehab and tackle it.
“He’s got a close-knit family around him who’ll be there for him and we’re his family too, we’ll be there for him and the small bonus is it will hopefully cover a period that’s off-season and pre-season, so he’s maybe not missing as many games as he might have done.”
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