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Carlo Ancelotti today confirmed no Chelsea players have shown any symptoms of swine flu and is unconcerned by the threat the illness could pose to his squad.
Fears were sparked after Blackburn, who Chelsea beat 5-0 on Saturday, revealed that three of their players and two members of the back-room staff had come down with the virus.
Blackburn informed Chelsea of the risk last Friday, while tomorrow's opponents Bolton have also confirmed they have had cases of it recently.
But Ancelotti said: "I'm not worried. The flu is not only on the pitch - it's everywhere. We take all the precautions we can but we just want to think about playing.
"Will we have problems over swapping shirts or shaking hands with Bolton? Absolutely not. We will do the same things as we always do.
"Have any Chelsea players had any symptoms? No, they've all stayed very well at the moment. Blackburn called us on Friday, we didn't know anything about it but we weren't worried about playing the game."
Bolton manager Gary Megson revealed today that four of his players had come down with and recovered from swine flu, though he is not concerned that the virus could be spread during the trip to Chelsea.
Megson said: "I've heard varying opinions and I think the one we all need to listen to is that from the medical people, who are saying that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to contract swine flu that way [playing sport].
"From our own point of view, you're not going to be a business with quite a few employees and find it totally escapes you.
"You are going to get one or two with swine flu and on the playing staff I think we have had five, four players and one member of staff. You try and do your best to avoid it but I would imagine it's near enough impossible."
Chelsea will be hoping to continue their 100 per cent record at Stamford Bridge this season against Bolton and book their place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup. Ancelotti has decided to rest captain John Terry, keeper Petr Cech, striker Nicolas Anelka and defender Ricardo Carvalho and is expected to hand forward Daniel Sturridge his first start since he joined from Manchester City in the summer.
However, the Italian said: “The Carling Cup is important for us. It's the first final we can get to in the season and we want to be in this final. We'll change some things but we will put a very competitive team on the pitch.”
Defenders Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa will both miss out because of injury.
The Health Protection Agency, meanwhile, warned footballers that spitting could heighten the chance of spreading swine flu. In a statement it said: “Spitting is disgusting and if they are spitting near other people it could increase the risk of passing on infections.”
“Certainly, spitting is a nasty habit that should be discouraged - and it should be discouraged by the clubs.
“It's about setting examples for young people who idolise them.”
