Ballack, Mikel to miss Chelsea's Cyprus trip

28 September 2009 14:58
LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea midfielders Michael Ballack and John Mikel Obi have been left out of the club's squad for Wednesday's Champions League clash with APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus. Nigerian star Mikel is struggling with an ankle problem while Germany captain Ballack has a calf strain. Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti did receive one good piece of injury news on Monday when he discovered that England left-back Ashley Cole, who was forced out of their 3-1 defeat by Wigan on Saturday with an ankle injury, had recovered enough to make the flight. Portugal midfielder Deco and England midfielder Joe Cole, who missed Saturday's match with a cold, were also declared fit to travel for Wednesday's second group stage tie.

Source: Eurosport