Chelsea will look to book their place in the last eight of the FA Cup when they take on Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Ahead of the game, Guus Hiddink has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s offered Chelseafc.com a team news and injury update.
Unfortunately the interim boss confirmed a major injury blow with the news that John Terry has once again been ruled out after failing to overcome a hamstring injury.
Terry limped out of last weekend’s 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle United after suffering a hamstring injury during the first half and was subsequently forced to miss Tuesday night’s Champions League last-16 first leg defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.
The injury isn’t thought to be too serious and Hiddink has revealed that while Terry has been working hard with the clubs physio’s, he isn’t going to be fit to face City on Sunday but could make his return against Southampton next week.
The Dutch coach also gave an update on January signing Matt Miazga and says the American could make his debut against City this weekend after being an unused substitute in midweek.
Hiddink told the clubs website:
‘He will not be fit for this weekend, I saw him this morning, he worked with the physios and yesterday he tried to do a bit on the pitch but he has too many issues to be fit for the weekend.
‘I hope next weekend he will be available. I cannot predict it, we have to be cautious with him as he likes to be there every day but we must be careful.
‘Of course it’s a disappointment because he’s the leader of the team. On the other hand I’m not going to complain or moan because the guys who are taking his place have my full confidence. In Paris they produced a decent performance.’
‘Miazga is close. We are doing some tests but he should be fit. What will the weekend bring? It’s too early to say.’
It will be a huge blow for Chelsea to lose Terry again but in his absence we could see Miazga come in to the back four to make his debut. If not, then Branislav Ivanovic is expected to keep his place alongside Gary Cahill with Cesar Azpilicueta and Baba Rahman filling the full-back roles.
