Mason Mount in a race against time to be fit for Chelsea’s Premier League showdown with Liverpool after suffering a sprained ankle from Francis Coquelin’s horror lunge
- Mason Mount limped off after a studs-up lunge from Valencia’s Francis Coquelin
- The extent of blow was not known until scans revealed that it is a minor knock
- Mount could be available to feature against league leaders on Sunday afternoon
Midfielder Mason Mount is in a race against time to be fit for Chelsea’s Premier League showdown with Liverpool after suffering a sprained ankle.
The 20-year-old limped off after being caught by a studs-up lunge from Francis Coquelin during the Blues’ 1-0 defeat by Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The extent of the blow was not known until scans revealed that it is a minor knock and as a result Mount could be available to feature against the league leaders on Sunday afternoon.
Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has suffered a sprained ankle from Francis Coquelin’s tackle
The extent of the blow was not known until scans revealed that it is a minor knock
The Blues youngster, who has made a brilliant start to the season under Frank Lampard, was hit just above his right ankle after a wild challenge from the former Arsenal midfielder.
Mount attempted to play on after the incident – which saw Coquelin receive a yellow card – but he had to come off shortly afterwards in an early blow for the hosts in the Group H clash.
Speaking about the incident during half-time of BT Sport’s coverage, pundit and former Blues striker Eidur Gudjohnsen said: ‘It’s not an easy decision for the referee to make because he has to decide quickly whether he does it on purpose, whether he’s going for the ball and follows through. It doesn’t look good.’
Mount screams in pain after being caught late by Coquelin during the first half on Tuesday
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard comforts Mount as he is forced off the pitch at Stamford Bridge
However, Owen Hargreaves defended Coquelin, insisting the Valencia midfielder was fully focused on winning the ball.
‘It’s not intentional,’ Hargreaves said on BT Sport. ‘He gets the ball first and you just feel sorry for Mason Mount.’
Chelsea will be looking to put an end to Liverpool’s 100 per cent record when they welcome them to Stamford Bridge at the weekend.