Demba Ba is expected to be fit for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, says interim manager Rafael Benitez.
The Senegalese forward had to be taken off at the weekend against Sunderland after Craig Gardener’s first-half challenge left Ba with an ankle injury, since then Gardner has accused Ba of overreacting to the challenge when in actuality the man with 10 yellow cards this season was lucky not to see red.
Ba did not take part in today’s training and is going to be cup-tied for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final clash against Rubin Kazan in Russia but Benitez said that this was merely a precaution and we should see Ba will be available for selection for the Wembley fixture.
“Demba Ba did not train today, just as a precaution.
“It’s not too serious. He will not go to Moscow. Hopefully he can train here and be okay for the weekend.”
It’s good news for the Chelsea fans as it was Ba’s spectacular goal against Manchester United on Easter Monday that put them through to the semi-finals and it also means that Fernando Torres doesn’t have to play a full 90 minutes twice in four days. It also gives Ba a good chance to rest up as he doesn’t have to do any travelling whatsoever.
It hasn’t been all good news for Benitez on the injury front as Ashley Cole will remain unavailable with a hamstring injury, whilst fellow defender Gary Cahill is still struggling with a knee problem and Ryan Bertrand is currently rated as doubtful with illness, so young Nathan Ake may play at left-back for our visit to the Luzhniki Stadium. Hopefully we will have more luck in Moscow than we did during our last visit, but I am sure the Blues won’t forsake their current 3-1 lead and believe that they will progress into the next round at the expense of Rubin Kazan.
Injuries are one thing, lets hope the fixture congestion doesn’t cause us further problems on and off the field should we go all the way in both cups whilst competing for a top four spot in the Premier League, the latter remaining the West London club’s priority.
