Jose Bosingwa and Michael Essien are fighting an uphill battle to be fit for the second leg of Chelsea's Champions League first knockout round tie against Inter Milan on March 16.
Essien has not played for Chelsea since he suffered a hamstring injury in European action against Apoel Nicosia in December.
More recently has been recovering from a knee problem sustained in January while on international duty with Ghana at the African Nations Cup.
The 27-year-old had an operation in January but he is currently still recuperating at a sporting injury clinic in France alongside left-back Ashley Cole, who has a fractured ankle.
Chelsea trail 2-1 after the first leg of the last-16 tie at the Giuseppe Meazza, and it looks unlikely Carlo Ancelotti will have a full-strength squad to pick from as he looks to defeat Jose Mourinho.
Bosingwa is back in light training after knee surgery but still short of match practice. However, Russian international Yury Zhirkov, who missed the first leg with a calf problem, should be fit to play at left-back.
Portugal midfielder Deco, another who has struggled with a knee problem, should have a chance to prove his fitness during the FA Cup quarterfinal against Stoke City on Sunday.
Ancelotti will be able to call upon Branislav Ivanovic, who has been praised by team-mate Joe Cole:
"I think Ivanovic for us is fantastic," the midfielder said.
"He is a great player for Chelsea. I think he has been our player of the year to be honest."
Essien has not played for Chelsea since he suffered a hamstring injury in European action against Apoel Nicosia in December.
More recently has been recovering from a knee problem sustained in January while on international duty with Ghana at the African Nations Cup.
The 27-year-old had an operation in January but he is currently still recuperating at a sporting injury clinic in France alongside left-back Ashley Cole, who has a fractured ankle.
Chelsea trail 2-1 after the first leg of the last-16 tie at the Giuseppe Meazza, and it looks unlikely Carlo Ancelotti will have a full-strength squad to pick from as he looks to defeat Jose Mourinho.
Bosingwa is back in light training after knee surgery but still short of match practice. However, Russian international Yury Zhirkov, who missed the first leg with a calf problem, should be fit to play at left-back.
Portugal midfielder Deco, another who has struggled with a knee problem, should have a chance to prove his fitness during the FA Cup quarterfinal against Stoke City on Sunday.
Ancelotti will be able to call upon Branislav Ivanovic, who has been praised by team-mate Joe Cole:
"I think Ivanovic for us is fantastic," the midfielder said.
"He is a great player for Chelsea. I think he has been our player of the year to be honest."
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