Chelsea dealt rest of the season blow as two key men to miss Man Utd and Man City fixtures

Chelsea defender Reece James has been ruled out for the remainder of the season while midfielder Mason Mount is “unlikely” to feature in the club’s remaining Premier League games.

The severity of James’ injury was confirmed after a scan on a hamstring problem while Mount has been sidelined by a pelvic injury.

The Stamford Bridge club take on Brentford on Wednesday night with James and Mount poised to miss Chelsea’s visit to Man City on Sunday, May 21 and the meeting at Old Trafford against Manchester United the following Thursday on May 25.

“Reece James will be unavailable for the rest of the season, Mason Mount the same,” said interim boss Frank Lampard.

“Reece had a hamstring injury in the midweek game,” added Lampard. “He got through it but then had a scan and he’s out.

“Mason has been carrying a pelvic injury for a while. It predates myself and he has been trying typically but he will have minor surgery, then a four-week recovery.

“He [Mount] might make the last match but that’s unlikely, which is obviously disappointing for us.”

Chelsea are close to appointing former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino as a permanent replacement to Graham Potter, with Lampard taking temporary charge earlier this month.

Asked whether he expects to be in charge for the remaining league games, including those against the Manchester clubs, Lampard added: “I wouldn’t expect anything in football, but we have come in to a club with big difficulties, with not a lot of time.

“[There are] a lot of factors as to the four games I have been here. The team and club have been struggling for a while. We are here to help but things won’t change in a short time.”

Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League table ahead of their clash with Brentford but they could have a say in the title race when they visit the Etihad next month.