Chelsea boss Frank Lampard believes that Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still some way from returning to the team.

The English midfielder has been absent for the entire season due to a heel injury he suffered in May.

Lampard will be hoping to add the all-action midfielder to his squad in the coming weeks, but says it may be a wait before fans can see Loftus-Cheek again.

Loftus-Cheek played in 24 league games under Maurizio Sarri last season, getting six goals and two assists.

"He's had a few setbacks over the last two months; he hasn't had a new one, but he's not flying along as much as we would want, and it's not for the want of trying from everybody," said Lampard to reporters after their 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

"For Ruben himself of course there's nothing worse than being injured. But at the moment he's no closer to being fit."