BlueLion. 21,491 Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti admits he is reluctant to risk Ashley Cole on Spartak Moscow's plastic pitch on Tuesday.The Blues travel to Russia for the UEFA Champions League Group F encounter, which will be staged at Spartak's Luzhniki Stadium.Defender Cole has been battling an ongoing ankle problem and often does not train for two days after a game in an attempt to manage his fitness.Blues manager Ancelotti will wait until his medical team have assessed how the 29-year-old's troublesome ankle reacts to training on the artificial surface before deciding whether to give him a run out on Tuesday evening."He needs more days to recover," said Ancelotti."For a year, he has had a little problem with his ankle. After the game you maybe have to give him two days of recovery instead of one."I played for 10 years with a problem with my knee. To play a lot of games in a season is a lot of stress for your body."DoubtMidfielder Michael Essien is also a doubt after recently suffering two serious knee injuries, and Ancelotti added: "He (Cole) doesn't have a problem today but this pitch is different. It is the same for Essien."After training, we will take a decision. If he is comfortable on this pitch, he'll play. If he is not comfortable, he will not."Essien could feel the pressure to play after fellow midfielder Ramires was sidelined for the clash with an ankle knock.The Brazilian was the latest casualty in Ancelotti's injury-plagued squad, with Alex, Didier Drogba, Jose Bosingwa, Yossi Benayoun and Frank Lampard already ruled out of Tuesday's game.http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_6453377,00.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZanSnake 1,211 Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 These injuries are stemming up badly.I just hope they aren't long term ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DYC. 7,542 Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Small squad + injury wave = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EskWeston 696 Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 A lot of players will be rested for this game because of the pitch, not to take any risks. To be honest, we will be fine and it is better not to risk anymore injuries to players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmax 9,219 Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 A team of our crocked stars would beat the one Carlo has to put out in moscow tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5354 204 Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 The spine of the team is still there... so no probs manz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxfordblues 299 Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 looks like we are doing ok on it tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caesarblues 51 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Yes,we're finethx god no more injured player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostas 1,468 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 ...which proves that this whole pitch issue was overblown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.