NEWSFLASH: SQUAD NEWS FOR NEWCASTLE Posted on: Fri 21 Nov 2008
Felipe Scolari has announced that Petr Cech and Joe Cole are back in the squad for the Newcastle game.
Cech has recovered from a calf strain and Cole from a hamstring problem, although Scolari warns the latter is not yet 100 per cent.
The manager is hopeful Frank Lampard will be okay to play. He returned to training yesterday [Thursday] following a rib injury.
Alex (groin) is rated possible but Juliano Belletti is definitely out.
On the players returning from internationals, Scolari reports:
'The players I received yesterday are in good condition. I didn't receive Deco, Paulo Ferreira or José Bosingwa because they arrived [from Brazil] at 6pm. After 15 hours flying, it is impossible to train.
'But if they can play a full game for the national team, why not play tomorrow?'
A full Scolari preview of the Newcastle game will appear later.
Ashley Cole, who was on the bench at West Brom but not fully fit, will also be available, although Scolari warns the two Coles are not yet 100 per cent.
Chelsea will line-up in a 4-1-4-1 formation as follows:
1 Petr Cech
17 José Bosingwa
2 Branislav Ivanovic
26 John Terry (c)
3 Ashley Cole
12 John Mikel Obi
10 Joe Cole
20 Deco
8 Frank Lampard
15 Florent Malouda
39 Nicolas Anelka
Substitutes: 23 Carlo Cudicini, 19 Paulo Ferreira, 18 Wayne Bridge, 27 Mineiro, 13 Michael Ballack, 16 Scott Sinclair, 21 Salomon Kalou.
come on, it's quite good. Despite minor mistakes of course. At leats there are no constant stoppages and unexplainable decisions. Remember I'm comparing to La Liga here
IMO we aren't playing well, only Bosingwa seems to be a threat for Newcastle. Some people is playing like we were winning the match, and we are 0-0!!! I hope Scolari say a few hard words in half time and the players react.
I'm just saying the officiating in this match has been worse than our usual Chelsea games. So if you like this, you'll love more normal matches we have.