Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger could remain at the club beyond the January transfer window.

The German had been tipped to depart this winter, either on loan or permanently.

However, the impending loan exit of Fikayo Tomori means Rudiger may be needed by manager Frank Lampard as a backup centre-back.

The German is currently third choice after Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma.

While he wants to play more, the 27-year-old may not be allowed to go if Tomori gets a loan move first.

The two parties are likely to talk in the summer if Rudiger is still not in the first team picture, as he may want to move on at that stage.

He has a contract with Chelsea until 2022.