Frank Lampard says Chelsea should know verdict of appeal against transfer ban 'very soon'

The Blues appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport last month against Fifa’s two-window ban relating to the signing of overseas youth players

Chelsea are waiitng to hear of their appeal against a Fifa-imposed two-window transfer ban. Reuters

Frank Lampard says he expects to find out “very soon” whether Chelsea will be free to make any signings next month.

Chelsea manager Lampard said the club expect to learn in the coming days the verdict of their appeal against a transfer ban imposed by world governing body Fifa.

The Premier League club's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was heard last month, with the Blues contesting Fifa’s two-window ban relating to the signing of overseas youth players.

"Very soon I believe," Lampard replied when asked if he expects an announcement to discover the result of that appeal. “Days, I think."

Lampard did not reveal if the club were pursuing any targets in anticipation of the ban being lifted.

“I haven’t heard any more, so I would wait and reserve judgement until we get the judgement and see where we want to go from there,” he added.

More pressingly, the Chelsea manager said he would give top scorer Tammy Abraham “every possible chance” to face Aston Villa as the England striker recovers from a hip injury.

Lampard admitted the 22-year-old, who has scored 10 Premier League goals this season, is still battling pain from the problem he picked up in the 2-2 Champions League draw at Valencia.

“He’s still got some pain in the area of the injury, [we will] make a judgement tomorrow," Lampard said.

“It’s painful for him, so it’s a pain threshold and whether it affects his movements. So I wouldn’t want to commit today.

“He was in good form, and with players that are important you want to give them as much time.

“He’s keen and we’re trying our best to give him time, but if he’s not ready we have to go in a different route anyway.”