Chelsea Team News: Mourinho Offers Injury Update Ahead Of Palace Clash

Chelsea take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon with the Blues looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Ahead of the game boss, Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference and gave Chelseafc.com a team news and injury update.

The Portuguese coach has confirmed that striker Samuel Eto’o will not be part of the squad that makes the short trip across London tomorrow. The Cameroonian international was forced off shortly after handing Chelsea the lead against Arsenal last weekend after picking up a hamstring problem, and he’s now in a race against time to be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against PSG.

Ashley Cole is also missing as he continues to recover from a knee ligament injury that he suffered in training almost four weeks ago, so Cesar Azpilicueta will start at left-back in his absence. Mourinho has no further injury concerns but Ramires continues to serve his three-match ban following his sending off against Aston Villa.

There was some positive news with youngster Marco van Ginkel set to play for the Under-21’s against this evening as he continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury that has seen him miss the majority of the season.

Mourinho told reporters:

“Ashley Cole is still out,”

“Van Ginkel plays again with the under-21s today. Hopefully instead of 45 minutes, he’ll play 60 minutes.

“Eto’o is out. And we are fine.”

“I don’t think so, but it’s possible [for Eto’o to return against PSG]. It’ll be in the limits, but he still has a chance.” [source: London24]

Chelsea head into the weekend action sitting just one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool and three clear of Man City, and with their rivals both facing tough away trips to Tottenham and Arsenal respectively this weekend, the Blues will want to put the pressure on with a win over Palace.

What team would you like to see Mourinho put out this weekend? Share your views below.