Round-up: Chelsea duo lined up for return and Sylla exits QPR
Pedro and Olivier Giroud are likely to return for Chelsea in Tuesday’s semi-final showdown with Tottenham.
Gianfranco Zola has confirmed that the duo will be unavailable for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest along with Willian, while Eden Hazard is likely to be rested.
But the Blues assistant boss believes Pedro and Giroud will be back for the Carabao Cup game at Wembley next week.
Pedro has been out with a hamstring problem and Giroud an ankle injury, while Willian limped off during the first half of this week’s goalless draw against Southampton.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, meanwhile, has returned to training after his injury and is set to feature this weekend amid doubts over his future at the club.
Bayern Munich have had an offer for Hudson-Odoi rejected and Chelsea are trying to persuade the young forward, whose contract is due to expire next year, to sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
“There will be some rotation. We have some injured players that are not going to be available, like Willian, Giroud and Pedro, so obviously this will leave space for some of the younger players,” explained Zola.
The Italian admitted that Bayern are “very interested” in Hudson-Odoi but that he believes the player should stay put and concentrate on developing his game.
“Callum is back in full training,” Zola said. “Yesterday he trained with the team and he’s going to train again today. Yes, he is certainly available and it is very much likely that he’s going to play.
“Eden has been fantastic in this period. He’s played a lot of games and we’re very demanding of him because he’s such an influential player for us.
“I believe tomorrow he might get a little bit of rest, but we are in a situation where we don’t have many players, so we will see. The idea is to give him a rest.”
Chelsea are not yet sure how long a calf problem will keep Willian out for, but the injury does not appear to be serious.
“I think there is a very good chance to have Pedro and Giroud back for next week for Tottenham. For Willian, I don’t know,” said Zola.
Wolves confident on Abraham
Wolves remain confident their pursuit of Tammy Abraham will not hit any unexpected problems.
Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to add the England international, on loan at Aston Villa, to his squad this month.
There have been suggestions Fifa rules over representing three clubs in a season would scupper any move.
Chelsea’s Abraham played in a Premier League 2 match against Derby in August before he joined Aston Villa on loan.
But the Press Association reports that Wolves are not worried about any issues surrounding the Premier League 2 game should they get the green light to sign the striker on loan.
The 21-year-old has a break clause in his loan agreement at Villa which will allow Chelsea to recall him by January 14.
Fulham boss expects signings
Claudio Ranieri is not ruling out signing Gary Cahill and, with concerns surrounding Alfie Mawson’s fitness, he insists Fulham are “ready” to spend.
He has also revealed he would understand if loanee Timothy Fosu-Mensah was to return to parent club Manchester United – potentially creating room for Cahill’s arrival.
Mawson has started rehabilitation on the knee injury that Ranieri fears means he will be out for “a while”, and with Cahill out of favour at Chelsea, Fulham are keen to take him to Craven Cottage, as revealed by West London Sport last month.
Ranieri said: “If there will be some opportunities, the club is ready – that’s the maximum I can tell you. I’m expecting.
“If United want (Fosu-Mensah) he can go because with me he does not play often and I understand he is young and he needs to play.”
Sylla leaving QPR
QPR are set to offload Idrissa Sylla to his former club Zulte Waregem.
The Guinean striker, 28, played for the Belgian top-flight side prior to a move to Anderlecht, who sold him to Rangers in August 2016.
Rangers have tried to offload him during previous transfer windows without success, but a deal has been agreed for him to join Waregem on a free transfer.
Sylla has six months remaining on his contract. His last QPR appearance came in the 3-0 home defeat against Bristol City in August.
Rangers to rest players
Joe Lumley, Toni Leistner, Joel Lynch, Darnell Furlong and Nahki Wells are among the QPR players likely to be rested for Sunday’s FA Cup game against Leeds.
Keeper Matt Ingram is standing by to replace Lumley, who suffered a facial injury during the recent draw at Aston Villa.
Leistner has been a mainstay of Rangers’ defence in the Championship, while Lynch recently returned after a knock and Furlong after a long-term knee injury.
And with Tomer Hemed on the sidelines, no chances will be taken with fellow on-loan striker Wells, who has been nursing a knock.
Bees youngster set for loan move
Brentford youngster Canice Carroll is poised to join Swindon Town on loan for the rest of the season.
West London Sport revealed during the summer that the Bees were set to sign the Republic of Ireland Under-19 midfielder from Oxford United.
He has not yet made a senior appearance since making that move and will be allowed to join the League Two Robins in order to play first-team football.
