Blues call on reserves for testing Tel Aviv tie

Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea squad arrived in Tel Aviv safely yesterday for tonight's Uefa Cup tie minus Marcel Desailly, Emmanuel Petit, William Gallas, Albert Ferrer, Graeme Le Saux and Eidur Gudjohnsen. The six chose not to travel because of fears over security.

The Chelsea manager's 21-man squad includes seven players from the reserve and youth ranks, and with a shortage of senior defenders there may be a surprise debut for the 17-year-old Joel Kitamirike.

Their opponents, Hapoel, were runners-up in their league last season, but this term they are mid-table, six points behind the leaders. Their coach Dror Kashtan is expected to field a defensive line-up. Kashtan is Israel's most successful coach, having won five league titles and four cups. He has been at Hapoel for three years, and led them to the league and cup double in his first season.

Despite the odds being stacked heavily in Chelsea's favour, Ranieri said security concerns would not be a factor.

"These games are never easy but I think I have a good squad and the players are very focused," he said.