Chelsea may ask Tammy Abraham to play through the pain barrier for Saturday’s trip to Leicester City if they cannot sign a new striker in time to deputise for him.

Abraham injured his ankle in the draw with Arsenal and had to miss the FA Cup fourth-round victory over Hull City.

Chelsea are monitoring his fitness and rate the 22-year-old as touch-and-go for the game against third-placed Leicester, who themselves have Jamie Vardy returning from injury.

But with a 16-day break before their next match against Manchester United, Chelsea could try to nurse Abraham through the Leicester game before giving him some time off.

Head coach Frank Lampard is desperate to sign a new striker before the transfer window shuts on Friday night and is also aware that Olivier Giroud is likely to move to Inter Milan.