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CHELSEA v MIDDLESBROUGH TEAM NEWS
It's a busy morning for Boro as Middlesbrough as defenders Ugo Ehiogu, Stuart Parnaby and Gareth Southgate all require late fitness tests.
Szilard Nemeth sustained a hamstring injury in Wednesday's win over Crystal Palace and Gaizka Mendieta has been quietly moved onto the long term injured list.
Malcolm Christie and Tony McMahon remain on the long-term list but Ray Parlour and Stuart Downing are on the way back although both are nowhere near ready for today's game.
Chelsea are boosted by the return to fitness of Didier Drogba from a knee injury and Arjen Robben from hamstring trouble. Both are expected to feature today.
Hernan Crespo has a rib injury and Claude Makelele has a pronlem with his knee and both will miss the game.
Boro assistant manager Steve Round, who is also did the post and pre-mach press on Wednesday - is he being groomed? - had this to say when he spoke to the BBC.
"We are still fighting on four fronts. It is a great achievement and one we are very proud of. We are in the process of playing five games in thirteen days. It is impossible to play the same individuals every game because it will lead to burn out. The guys who have come in have done so well and it bodes well for the future."
Chelsea Squad: Cech, Cudicini, Ferreira, Gallas, Terry, Carvalho, Huth, del Horno, Bridge, Essien, Lampard, Duff, Robben, Drogba, Diarra, Gudjohnsen, Wright-Phillips, J Cole, C Cole, Geremi
Middlesbrough Squad: Schwarzer, Jones, Parnaby, Queudrue, Southgate, Ehiogu Riggott, Bates, Boateng, Pogatetz, Rochemback, Morrison, Doriva, Johnson, Kennedy, Yakubu, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Maccarone.
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