Frank Lampard has confirmed Antonio Rudiger is in contention to play for Chelsea.

The German was told he was able to leave this past summer, with Tottenham and AC Milan both making enquiries.

Instead, Rudiger decided to fight for his place at Chelsea, and he could replace Thiago Silva in defence to Wednesday's Champions League clash with Krasnodar.

"'I have discussions with Antonio and all the players as readily as I can do," Lampard told a pre-match press conference.

"I have always had a positive relationship with him. Everything I do, I do for the club and selections and the team, and at the minute sometimes you have to have players out of the squad and it is big news for everybody.

"I have a very positive relationship with him, and he's in the squad and very much in contention to play."