Anelka out for three weeks

[Milan 17,881]

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka will miss the first leg of the club's UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool.

The French front-man has picked up a toe injury that will require three weeks on the sidelines, according to the French Football Federation (FFF).Anelka played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's defeat at Tottenham on Saturday but is now set for an injury lay-off.

France coach Raymond Domenech, who has called up Paris St Germain's

Guillaume Hoarau for the first time to take Anelka's place in his squad, has confirmed the nature of the injury.

"(Hoarau) replaces Nicolas Anelka, who is suffering from an injured left big toe and is out of action for three weeks," the FFF said on their website.

Chelsea's next league game sees Guus Hiddink's side travel to Newcastle, before on 8th April they take on Liverpool at Anfield.

Anelka will also likely miss Chelsea's following Premier League fixture against Bolton, but could be in contention for the second-leg clash with Liverpool on 14th April.

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[Elliott 7]

Means we'll end up using Belletti and Kalou on the wings beside Drogba, not ideal. I guess Quaresma will play against Newcastle and Bolton, well I would hope so anyway.

[EskWeston 696]

Its a real shame. Anelka has had an excellant season. We must get team selection right now for our remaining games. Especially the big ones.

[diskoviolente 425]

Hm concidering that Belletti is a good defensive player, Hiddink could use him at Anfield in a 4-4-2 with Drogs and Kalou upfront

Not the best time for Nico getting injured...

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I'll be pissed off if we don't see Quaresma against the Barcodes tbh. More about him going forward then anyone in the team atm, bar Essien.

[warnie_666 1,081]

No problem for the barcodes game but my concern is Quarter Final.

We can use, Malouda, Drogba and Kalou and Mikel, Lamps and Essien along with the usual defense in 4-3-3 formation.. Hopefully Riccy plays

My concern is the bench. Ballack, Stoch and Di Santo. Huge game for the guys.

[gary gordon 1,777]

imo Anelka has been missing since the Villa game.

[Steve 10,227]

Not good for nico, i think we can still play good without as he does go missing in games sometimes. I think if we play Didier and Kalou upfront against scum it could be a good partnership, if not that id like to see Quaresma possibly play.