There’s good news and bad news for Chelsea’s Liam Delap.

The English striker, who was injured against Fulham last time out, doesn’t need surgery for his hamstring ailment, but is expected to be out for ten weeks.

The summer signing lasted just 14 minutes in a 2-1 west London derby win and was initially given a six to eight weeks prognosis.

However, that date has now been moved back to November, meaning Delap will miss as many as 12 matches, given the Blues’ hectic autumn schedule.

The headline fixtures in that run are Bayern Munich away on September 17, Manchester United away on September 20, Liverpool at home on October 4 and Tottenham away on November 1.

Delap, son of the Stoke great Rory, was one of the first players through the door this summer, joining from Ipswich Town i

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