TNT Sports
Duo doubts for final
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Published 12/05/2008 at 12:03 GMT+1
Chelsea manager Avram Grant will have to wait anxiously to find out if John Terry and Didier Drogba will be fit to play in the Champions League final.
Eurosport
Image credit: TNT Sports
Club captain Terry (pictured) dislocated his elbow just 10 minutes into the 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers after his arm got caught between goalkeeper Petr Cech and striker Kevin Davies as they all jumped for the ball.
Striker Drogba completed all 90 minutes of the match that saw them lose out on the Premier League title to Manchester United, but picked up a knee injury during the game.
Grant said of Terry: "He didn't break his elbow, but we need to wait and see. We will know more in a few days."
The Israeli coach was less optimistic regarding Drogba, after the striker limped around the pitch for his team's lap of honour after the match with an ice-pack strapped to his left knee.
He said: "Drogba doesn't look so good, we'll have to wait."
Defender Terry revealed that his elbow "popped back in" as he was treated in an ambulance, and re-emerged after the match wearing a sling as he waved to the home fans.
He was bullish about his prospects of being fit for Chelsea's first ever European Cup final, saying: "I need three or four days rest but I should be fit for Moscow."
Grant paid tribute to his captain's commitment and powers of recovery. He said: "I am waiting and don't want to see the day John Jerry is not confident, like he was after the injury against Arsenal. He is strong and we have 10 days until the final, so we don't need to take the decision now.
"We need to see that he is fit to play, with his character I am sure there are not any problems. It is always the decision of everyone, first the medical department, but don't rush, we have time."
Another Chelsea centre-back, Ricardo Carvalho, is also a doubt for the May 21 final, as he is yet to recover from the back injury that kept him out of the Bolton match.
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