Boss Jose Mourinho is in danger of being without key central defenders John Terry and Gary Cahill for Saturday’s FA Cup clash at Manchester City.
Mourinho had hoped Terry would be fit for Tuesday’s Premier League game at West Brom after sitting out Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge with a double muscle injury.
But the 33-year-old was again missing, with his absence felt as the Baggies staged a late second-half rally to grab a 1-1 draw following Branislav Ivanovic’s opener in first-half injury-time.
Mourinho will be hoping the additional game off will have allowed Terry sufficient time to recover ahead of the fifth-round tie with City.
Terry’s presence is crucial as Cahill limped away from the Hawthorns with a damaged calf, sustained shortly prior to Victor Anichebe heading home an 87th-minute equaliser, meaning he is now a major doubt for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.
Cahill said: “Once I got the knock, I was struggling from then on.
“It happened when a West Brom player went for a header and I was on the floor, and he landed just inside my knee/calf. It’s sore and we’ll see what it’s like later.”
The late goal and the injury completed an unhappy end to the game for Cahill as Chelsea missed the chance to open up a four-point cushion at the top of the table.
Albion, however, performed admirably as they played the pressing game that new head coach Pepe Mel has been demanding of his players.
Written by Steve Milne @stevenmilnelive
