Fikayo Tomori could be set to leave Chelsea on loan, Frank Lampard has confirmed.
Leeds and Newcastle have been linked with the centre-back, who has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking at his post-match press conference after the 4-0 FA Cup win over Morecambe, Blues boss Lampard said Tomori did not start the game because a loan move could be imminent.
Tomori, 23, came on as a late substitute for his first outing since September and only his fourth appearance of the season.
“The situation with Fikayo is kind of open at the moment,” Lampard explained.
“There’s a possibility he could be going on loan to get games somewhere else.
“That would have to be the right solution for him and the club.
“That was part of my thinking of not starting with him today. I gave him some minutes at the end.
“Whilst we’re looking at that (possible loan move) I wanted to make sure that it (him playing) was the right thing for us as a club and him individually. So he didn’t start for that reason.”
Tomori established himself last season but has not been as involved this term.
But Lampard said: “His attitude whilst not playing so much recently – and it’s not easy, there are five centre-back at the club – has been fantastic in terms of training every day and how he is.”