Mar 10

Petr Cech expected to return for Chelsea ahead of schedule

• Goalkeeper should be fit to face Blackburn in nine days’ time
• Henrique Hilário to start against Internazionale

Petr Cech is confident of returning to the Chelsea first team ahead of schedule for their Premier League game against Blackburn Rovers in nine days’ time, his rehabilitation from a calf injury progressing encouragingly, although Henrique Hilário will be in goal against Internazionale for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie next week.

The Czech tore a calf muscle having leapt unchallenged to claim a cross after an hour of the first leg at San Siro and departed in discomfort on a stretcher with his side trailing 2-1.

A scan confirmed the injury and Chelsea were expected to be without their first-choice goalkeeper for a month, potentially ruling him out of four Premier League matches as well as FA Cup and Champions League ties. That diagnosis may now be revised, with a return for the televised game against Blackburn on 21 March more realistic after the 27-year-old made steady progress in recovery.

His absence was keenly felt when Manchester City exploited Hilário’s rustiness to win 4-2 at Stamford Bridge last month, the title challengers’ first home defeat in 38 matches, but Chelsea will have to rely on their recently capped Portuguese goalkeeper as they seek to progress beyond Inter and into the Champions League quarter-finals.

The 34-year-old Hilário, a perennial understudy to Cech since moving to west London from Madeira’s Nacional in 2006, made his international debut as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 friendly victory over China this month, though his opportunities to impress at club level have been limited.

He kept a somewhat unconvincing clean sheet in the FA Cup at home to Stoke City last Sunday and will play against West Ham United on Saturday before facing José Mourinho’s Inter side.

Yuri Zhirkov, troubled by his own calf problems in recent weeks, returned to training with the first-team squad at Cobham today and may now be available for the visit of West Ham.

ChelseaPremier LeagueDominic Fifieldguardian.co.uk

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Mar 08

Abuse makes John Terry stronger, says Frank Lampard

• Chelsea captain explains armband celebration
• Terry: ‘I was just giving the Stoke fans a bit of banter’

Frank Lampard says John Terry will emerge stronger from the abuse to which he has been subjected from opposing teams’ supporters over the last few weeks. The deposed England captain was targeted by Stoke City fans at Stamford Bridge yesterday following the allegations over his private life which had prompted Fabio Capello to strip him of the England armband.

Terry responded with a fine performance, capped by an assist and the headed goal which sealed Chelsea’s 2-0 FA Cup success, with his manic celebrations – pointing at the armband and staring fixedly at the visiting support – a response to the abuse he had been receiving.

“We all get that, to an extent,” said Lampard. “I’ve had that at times, and John got it against Stoke. Sometimes the abuse does overstep the mark, but strong players just react in positive ways. That’s what John did. We’ll play and move on – that’s the best answer we can give, really. These things happen.”

“I was just giving the Stoke fans a bit of banter, that was all,” said Terry of his celebration. “They were giving me a bit of stick and I was just giving a bit back. That is what football is about. They are entitled to do what they do and so am I on the pitch as long as they take it in the right manner. I am sure they did. You just get on with it as a player.

“One way to get through it is to play well, and to score was the icing on the cake. Chelsea have been very supportive and I would like to thank everyone for that, but the main thing was we came back from a disappointing result and performance last week.”

Recovering from that 4-2 defeat to Manchester City was critical, with Chelsea having now surrendered the lead in the Premier League to Manchester United, albeit with the London club still having a game in hand. Carlo Ancelotti’s team retain hope of silverware on three fronts – they must overcome a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Internazionale in the Champions League next week – though the players have acknowledged that they must muster consistent form over the final three months of the season to gain tangible reward.

“Everyone has results like that City match, they can happen,” added Lampard. “Maybe it can serve as a kick in the right direction and we can react positively. I think we did that in the week up to the Stoke game. Hopefully, it can make us more aware and make sure we get back on it, especially at home, for the rest of the season. We’ve got it in us to go on a consistent run. Every team has faltered at times this season, but this is a time to kick on in the league. It’s very important now that the team pushes on and goes on a consistent run. All we can do is concentrate on winning games.”

John TerryChelseaDominic Fifieldguardian.co.uk

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Mar 08

Football Weekly podcast: Terry strong arms Chelsea into the FA Cup semi-finals

The pod squad is suited and booted for your brand new Football Weekly.

We start with the FA Cup, where Harry Redknapp could be set for another encounter with Portsmouth, and Aston Villa came from behind against Reading to set up a semi-final with Chelsea – for whom John Terry was the perfect gentleman in his victory celebration and post-match interview. Barry Glendenning gives his thoughts.

James Richardson looks ahead to Milan’s trip to Manchester United in the Champions League, and Sean Ingle remembers that Liverpool are still involved in Europe (and Fulham and Juventus too, for that matter).

Sid Lowe tells us about a dramatic weekend in Spain, where Real Madrid went ahead of Barcelona in La Liga for the first time in three months.

Finally, John Ashdown regales us with tales from the Championship, where it is Newcastle United’s title to lose. That said, stranger things have happened, especially to the Magpies. Good job they’ve got Spiderman playing on the wing.

Have a listen and post your feedback below. We’re also on iTunes, Facebook and Twitter, and if you enjoy this type of thing, get your daily dose of fooball with our tea-time email, The Fiver.

James RichardsonBen GreenSid LoweJohn AshdownBarry GlendenningSean Ingle

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