Blues fret over duo's fitness

07 March 2009 10:01
Chelsea duo Nicolas Anelka and Deco are battling to be fit for the UEFA Champions League tie against Juventus. Anelka missed the midweek win at Portsmouth with a foot injury, while Deco has sat out the last three matches due to a muscle problem. Both players are out of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Coventry City and are doubts for Tuesday's trip to Turin. Blues boss Guus Hiddink outlined the latest fitness situation for Anelka and Deco, and suggested he will not gamble on either player. "[Anelka] is not in the squad, we tried to get him available for the Juve game, but it will be close. We will see,' said Hiddink. "Deco made progress in his training, but you have to be careful with muscle injuries. We don't want to take a risk, nor does he, and he is not feeling fully confident to be in the squad today. "We will see how he will react for the upcoming Juve game." Chelsea take a 1-0 lead to Juventus for the second leg of the last 16 tie after Didier Drogba's first-half winner in the first meeting at Stamford Bridge.

Source: SKY_Sports