Super Eagles’ midfielder, John Mikel Obi, is doubtful for this weekend’s English Premiership tie between Chelsea and Manchester United billed for Stamford Bridge.
Obi is nursing an injury and the Nigerian international is not expected to fully recover before Sunday’s clash in London.
Chelsea boss, Andre Villas-Boas, will also be without numerous first team players for Sunday’s game as Ashley Cole is suspended after being sent-off against Swansea.
Ramires and Frank Lampard are also on the injury table while the deposed England captain, John Terry, missed the midweek game with a knee injury, but he should recover in time to face United.
Manchester United travel to South-West London in a eagerly awaited Premier League clash.
Games between Manchester United and Chelsea have decided the destination of the title in the last seven seasons.
But Chelsea have fallen well behind their Northern rivals this season and with 12 points separating the two, the Blues are definitely out of the title race.
Both teams were involved in midweek, with United defeating Stoke City 2-0 at home while Chelsea drew 1-1 at Swansea.
The Red Devils are on a four-match winning run against Chelsea, stretching back to last season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
When the two sides met at Old Trafford earlier in the season, the defending Champions prevailed 3-1 in a very open game that is remembered for Fernando Torres’ astonishing miss.
Tuesday night’s game at the Liberty Stadium epitomised Chelsea’s season so far: defensive mistakes, lack of creativity in midfield, toothless attack and flashes of old brilliance.
As Villas-Boas continues to rebuild a side that once dominated the Premier League, he struggles to maintain their competitiveness this season.
Chelsea redefined their season’s ambition as securing a Champions League spot and they haven’t gone about achieving that with great merit either.
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