Deco feeling blue as he fails to hit the heights

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The Portugal midfielder was named August's player of the month by the Premier League, but hasn't been fully fit since limping off in the warm-up before the game against Manchester United in September.

Deco, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona for £7.9million in the summer, then missed a month of the campaign and has not made the same impact following his return to the first team six games ago.

He said: "The injury came at a bad time because I was playing well and I was in good condition physically, but injuries never come when you want them to. I am progressing, but I need more games before I am feeling 100 per cent. I have had a few problems, I am trying to progress day by day.

The 31-year-old will be more determined than anyone to help the team get back to winning ways at Blackburn on Sunday after being sent off during the 3-1 defeat to Roma in midweek.

He signed a two-year contract at Stamford Bridge and feels his dip in form is only temporary.

He added: "I don't know how good I will be playing in three years but if I continue doing well I think I can do some important things for Chelsea. I don't feel old and I think I have three or four more years at the top."

Ashley Cole (thigh), Michael Ballack (foot), Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring) and Michael Essien (knee) are still ruled out and will miss the trip to Ewood Park.