Strikers Radamel Falcao (groin) and Loic Remy (calf) remain out, leaving Diego Costa as the only fit striker, so Guus Hiddink may call upon members of Chelsea’s youth squads.
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Hazard sustained the injury in last week’s win at Crystal Palace and the Blues have no intention to rush him back, meaning the Belgian could miss both of next week’s Premier League fixtures with West Brom and Everton.
“Mid-week he will not make, I think, but we must be careful”, Hiddink told reporters in Friday’s press conference.
“It’s their game here and they are dreaming of getting a good result”. We are well aware of who is playing and who can cause danger.
If one needs any reminder of what this tournament means to teams and players in the lower leagues then Laird has words for you: “We love it!”
Hiddink also ruled out the possibility of becoming permanent boss at Stamford Bridge, no matter how well he does. “The magic of the FA Cup has always been very special to me”, he said in The Independent.
“[The FA Cup means] a lot because at that time it was the only silverware I won in this country”, he added.
FORMER Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has said no opponent should be taken lightly in the FA Cup ahead of the club’s third round clash with Scunthorpe United. Then there are two targets left and one is the FA Cup.
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But the 46-year-old, who is often credited with saving Alex Ferguson’s job during Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph in 1990 after scoring the winning goal in a third-round win against Nottingham Forest, insisted his team have no fear. “We are not going into speculation and are not naming anyone”.
