Double injury blow for Blues’ European trip
CHELSEA have been rocked by the news midfielders Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel will both miss tomorrow’s Champions League tie with APOEL Nicosia.
Neither player has travelled with the squad as Germany captain Ballack has a calf strain and Mikel is struggling with an ankle injury.
But England full-back Ashley Cole did make the flight after managing to shrug off an ankle knock picked up in Saturday’s loss at Wigan.
Midfielder Joe Cole is also available after a cold prevented the 27-year-old from making his first league start at the weekend, while Portugal star Deco could get a rare start.