Chelsea dealt ‘bitterly disappointing’ injury blow after Romelu Lukaku limps off

Chelsea have been dealt a cruel injury blow during their Champions League game against Malmo after Romelu Lukaku limped off in the first-half. 

The Belgian has been out of form in recent weeks but had the perfect opportunity to rediscover his spark against the Swedish minnows. 

But the 28-year-old’s night was cut short after he picked up what looked to be an ankle injury as he got caught up with Malmo’s Lasse Nielsen. 

Romelu Lukaku limped off after sustaining what appeared to be an ankle injury against Malmo

The 28-year-old went down after getting caught up with with Malmo ace Lasse Nielsen (left)

In an attempt to stop the Blues striker’s forward move, Nielsen lunged in, only to wrap his legs around Lukaku, who crumpled to the turf with his ankle pinned. 

Lukaku won a penalty but failed to get up, remaining on the ground in agony. 

Jorginho converted the penalty to make it 2-0 after Lukaku limped off to be replaced by Kai Havertz.

Chelsea’s injury woes went from bad to worse as Timo Werner went down and required treatment.

The Belgian won a penalty for the Blues which was converted by Jorginho after he left the pitch

The German appeared to have pulled something while sprinting into space in the area and trudged off the pitch with physios in tow. 

Joe Cole claimed the blow will be bitterly disappointing for Lukaku, leaving Chelsea without the striker for a few weeks.

Speaking on BT Sport at half-time, Cole said: ‘It really is a shame as he was warming into game. 

Chelsea’s injury woes worsened as forward Timo Werner was also forced off with injury 

The German limped off with the team physios after he appeared to pull something in a sprint

He’s using his body, wriggles away, lovely chops inside. When you’re in these positions, it wasn’t a bad tackle necessarily, in a sense just a coming together. 

‘He’s too strong and he buckles. It’s a nasty one for him. I don’t think we’ll be seeing him for a few weeks. As an ex-player when you see the ankle going in that position you wince.

‘He will be bitterly disappointed. I think Timo as well, a muscle injury that early in the game says to me that maybe he’s been over training a tad. 

Chelsea haven’t looked sharp and they look razor sharp tonight. Timo Werner looked razor sharp tonight. That’s two forwards Chelsea have lost, so not a perfect night.’