Chelsea’s injury list continues to grow

After recording a famous victory over Manchester United, a mini injury crisis has developed at the Bridge.

Reports have just come in that the initial diagnosis of Didier Drogba’s rib complaint as bruising was severely understated, as it is now feared he has broken a rib and could be missing for up to three weeks.  It is assumed the injury occurred during a clash with defender Jonny Evans.

The powerful Ivory Coast international, therefore, is likely to miss the all-important clash against London rivals Arsenal on November 29.

Keeping in mind that full-backs Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa have already been struck down by injury, both Chelsea stalwarts Frank Lampard and John Terry are also in doubt for the game at the Emirates.  Lampard reported back to the club last week, having left the England set-up in Doha.  The club’s medical staff have confirmed that the midfielder has suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh which will take up to three weeks to heal.

“Frank suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh while away with the England national team,” a club spokesman said. “The midfielder reported back at Cobham this morning (Friday), having flown back from the Middle East.

“The Chelsea medical department’s initial impression is that he may take approximately three weeks to recover.”

It has also been suggested that the club will claim his £151,000-a-week wages in compensation from the Football Association while he is sidelined.

Lampard was injured while jogging during an England training session on Thursday, an injury that is likely to sideline the midfielder for the home game against Wolverhampton and the away games against Porto and Arsenal.

Meanwhile enigmatic captain John Terry missed out on England’s 1-0 loss to Brazil through injury, but the defender wants to return to action for his club at the weekend.

Terry was hurt in training after blocking a Jermaine Jenas shot and was rested by Fabio Capello as a precaution.

Originally thought to be out for a number of weeks, Terry has proclaimed he could make it back to action this weekend when Chelsea entertain the Wanderers at the Bridge.

Terry told BBC Sport, “Will I be OK for next weekend? Fingers crossed.”

“It was touch and go. I gave it a go and it just wasn’t right,” he added.

“I left my leg out and blocked a shot the other day. It clipped my Achilles which is still bit tender.

“We will have to wait and see when I get back in the pool and start doing some work.”

If the worse case scenario happens and the table-topping Blues face the next couple of fixtures without the like of Terry, Drogba, Lampard, A. Cole and Bosingwa, then the burden will fall to the other squad members to step up and impress.

If Terry cannot recover in time then it is likely a makeshift backline of Branislav Ivanovic, Ricardo Carvalho, Alex and Yuri Zhirkov will be formed and at the other end it could be a welcomed opportunity for Daniel Sturridge to stake a claim for a more prominent role.

With the Russian winger Zhirkov returning to action for his national team in the all important World Cup Qualifier against Slovenia, playing 90 minutes in the process, then all bodes well for a return to action for the £18m man.

Perhaps these injuries will give fringe players the much needed action that will further reinforce the strength in depth for the West Londoners.

By Joshua Kepreotis

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