Derby County forward Mason Bennett could return to training this week.
Bennett has made good progress in his recovery having suffered a hamstring injury in the home defeat by Aston Villa in November.
The 22-year-old, who has made eight starts in his 17 appearances this season, limped off after 51 minutes and was replaced by Florian Jozefzoon.
"Mason is close, he will train this week, probably," said manager Frank Lampard.
Scott Malone has yet to return to training.
The left back has missed the last four matches with a groin injury.
"They (Bennett and Malone) are both outside doing a lot of individual work, so they are not far away," said Lampard.
Malone's absence has seen Andre Wisdom, a right back, fill in at left back while Max Lowe is back from his loan spell at Scottish Premier club Aberdeen.
Lowe started in Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Southampton.
Another left back currently sidelined is Marcus Olsson.
He has been out since suffering a serious knee injury at the back end of last season.
January was pencilled in as a possible return date, but Lampard said Olsson is further away than Malone.
"He (Olsson) had a small hiccup, not a huge one, but just something that held him back slightly," Lampard added.
"I wouldn't want to give a date (for his return) at this point. It is not terrible news, we just have to make sure it is the right time."