Chelsea feel the strain - the Stamford Bridge sickbay is full already - Sport

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Although the club insist the injuries to John Terry, Andriy Shevchenko, Paulo Ferreira, Arjen Robben, Claude Makelele and Michael Essien are not serious, they were of enough concern to keep them out of a full-scale practice match at their training ground yesterday.

Scroll down for more

Broken toe: John Terry

There has been no let-up during Chelsea's exhaustive build-up to the season, and many of the side will be forced to play through the pain barrier during tonight's friendly against Danish side Brondby.

All six casualties travelled to Copenhagen later yesterday, but there are increasing concerns in the Chelsea camp about the number of players struggling for fitness so close to the start of the season.

They open their Premiership campaign at home to Birmingham six days after facing United at Wembley in the season's traditional curtain-raiser.

Manager Jose Mourinho blamed injuries to key players for his side's failure to retain the Premiership title last season, and Chelsea's list of walking wounded this season already numbers 12.

Ashley Cole, who made a first-team return during the 2-0 defeat against Rangers on Saturday, will not be rushed back into action following his ankle problem, and Michael Ballack, who had a second ankle operation in the summer has only just returned to training.

Wayne Bridge has already been ruled out until November after undergoing surgery on his hip during Chelsea's two-week spell in Los Angeles and there are also injuries to Mikel John Obi, Salomon Kalou and Lassana Diarra.

Chelsea's players were put through two intensive sessions a day during their two-week tour to America, and there has been little respite since they returned.

Despite the effects of jet lag following the 11-hour flight back to London, the players were in training again the next day, and then they travelled to Holland for a friendly against Feyenoord just 24 hours later.

Chelsea's players trained every day last week but were soundly beaten when they travelled to Ibrox to face Rangers last weekend, and many of the players are already complaining of fatigue.