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Chelsea’s Hiddink hopes for FA Cup bounce

Gary Cahill could be handed a rare appearance, having struggled for match action of late, and Hiddink added: “We have a lot of games coming, in the FA Cup, the league and Champions League”.

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The Blues head into the game fresh from their impressive 1-0 win at Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend.

While bookmakers have Chelsea as heavy favourites for the game, Potter says Dons have nothing to fear from taking on some of the biggest names in world football.

William Hill think not, installing the Londoners as their 1/2 odds-on favourites to make the fifth round at the first attempt.

Given only 15 games remain in the league season – beginning with Watford and Manchester United after the trip to MK Dons – a place in the top four seems unlikely.

Despite a gradual improvement, Chelsea sit 13th in the Premier League, leaving the FA Cup and Champions League as their only hopes of silverware this term.

Karl Robinson’s side overcame Northampton Town 3-0 in the last round but needed a replay to do so.

“I will tell my players, “You don’t react, you don’t get involved in any of the antics”.

Even with a bumper home crowd behind them and given Chelsea’s defensive frailties this season, it’s hard to envisage MK Dons finding the net here, and they lie at risk of being picked off on the break by the Premier League superstars. “We know how good he can be”. “The result was encouraging for the team and its confidence”. We will help him to get fit and to see what he can bring to this club.

“On the day the players have to perform”, he said.

‘As long as that’s a possibility, we’ll go for that.

“I’d been through the transition of doing my youth-team days at Wimbledon and then being part of Milton Keynes and it was unusual”, he recalled at the smart new 30,000-capacity stadium:mk.

“It’s a free game, to an extent, and a wonderful experience as well”. Cahill needs a partner in crime, and Kurt Zouma is the flawless candidate, I consider the young Frenchman as one of the best CB in the league and should continue in the side.

“They’re nearly the Chelsea you’ve come to expect”.

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As for the Dons, striker Nicky Maynard (hamstring) is a major doubt, while Matthew Upson (hamstring), Ben Reeves (thigh) and Carl Baker (ankle) are out.

Mauricio Pochettino watches his Spurs players in training during a mid-season trip away for the squad