How Chelsea could line-up vs Norwich as injured stars return with Loftus-Cheek as sole striker and Hudson-Odoi on wing

CHELSEA boss Frank Lampard is believed to be considering trying Ruben Loftus-Cheek as his main striker.

The England international midfielder, 23, established himself in the Blues’ first-team fold last season before a ruptured Achilles' tendon ruled him out of the Europa League Final.

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Now he finally has the protective boot off and has stepped-up his recovery.

Loftus-Cheek is expected to return to full fitness around November time – and he could find himself up top.

Lampard has used both Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham as his main striker so far this season.

But Sun Sport understands he is toying with the idea one of his predecessors Antonio Conte tried by deploying the star as a forward.

And that could result in an exciting new attacking line for Chelsea when fellow Three Lions international Callum Hudson-Odoi returns from his own injury woes.

The winger, 18, is on the verge of penning a new £200,000-a-week contract at Stamford Bridge to thwart off interest from Bayern Munich.

The ace also suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon back in April but is due to step-up his rehab over the coming weeks as he targets a comeback next month.

Lampard said: “He is getting closer, he has trained over the last week or two with the Under-23s, there is going to be a period of conditioning work for him.

“The injury looks good which is great news.

“Then he is going to have to be fitter than he has ever been because I want him to run.”

That indicates the wide man has very important role to play under the Blues manager.

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And in another injury boost, Antonio Rudiger is also near to a return.

The German international underwent surgery on his meniscus during the summer and is yet to feature this season – although he was on the bench for last week’s Super Cup Final defeat to Liverpool.

And with his presence in the side, Chelsea could be looking a lot more dangerous come the winter months, as our possible starting XI shows above.

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