Chelsea Injury Fears Calmed; Alex to Play Saturday

Added on Nov 19, 2010 by Trent Sillanpaa in

Premier League

Just one day after it was announced that Chelsea could be forced into prolonging the emergency shuffling of its defensive back line that began with a 3-0 home defeat to Sunderland last weekend the Premier League leaders were given a boost when Brazilian central defender Alex announced that he would delay his pending knee surgery until next week. Alex is penciled to start in Chelsea’s match against Birmingham City on Saturday at St. Andrews Stadium.

Equally important fitness news was also delivered by Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti regarding Alex’ central defense partner John Terry at the same press conference on Friday. Ancelotti told the press that Terry, who has been hampered by a nerve problem in his right knee, could suit up for Chelsea as soon as next Tuesday when the Londoners host MSK Zilina in their penultimate Champions League Group F match.

Like Alex’ return, Terry’s reintroduction will not see him at 100 percent, but the captain will be sorely needed once Alex returns to his home country to get arthroscopic knee surgery following Saturday’s match. While Alex is expected to take two months to heal from the surgery his knee requires, Terry should be able to play out the season despite suffering from the same pain which has kept him out of late. Terry has played with nerve issue in recent years, but it hadn’t flared to its current level until this season.

Chelsea remained in first place in the Premier League standings following last weekend’s shock defeat, though its lead was trimmed from four points to two as Manchester United was jumped in the table by Arsenal. The Blues were forced to start Branislav Ivanovic and Paulo Ferreira at their center back positions in the match. Ancelotti was tight-lipped about potential moves during the January transfer window, claiming he would not know Chelsea’s true need for defensive help until knowing Terry’s full capabilities on the pitch, presumably next week at the earliest.