International duty adds to Chelsea's injury woes

International matches have taken their toll on Chelsea with the club's injury list now stretching to 11 first-team players, including their preferred back four and the goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The Czech international suffered a thigh injury and missed his country's match against Slovenia on Wednesday, while the right-back Jose Bosingwa has reported back with a "knock" following Portugal's draw at home to Albania.

Added to that are John Terry's back problems which ruled him out of both of England's World Cup qualifiers, Ashley Cole's hamstring strain, the buttock strain suffered by Alex and concerns over Joe Cole's ankle, Michael Ballack's ankle, although he played for Germany, and Deco's thigh.

Already out are Ricardo Carvalho with knee ligament damage and Didier Drogba, who suffered ankle and knee problems in the Champions League tie away to CFR Cluj two weeks ago. Drogba confirmed yesterday that he faces at least three more weeks on the sidelines. Long-term absentee Michael Essien is recovering from an operation to repair damaged cruciate knee ligaments.

With the midfielder Mineiro still struggling for fitness, it means that the resources of the manager Luiz Felipe Scolari are stretched ahead of tomorrow's Premier League match against Middlesbrough. Given the match is also away from home and with a 12.45pm kick-off, it will test Scolari's squad even further. Chelsea's players were due to report back to the club at 4pm yesterday when the injured will be properly assessed.

* Arsenal will be without William Gallas, Bacary Sagna and Nicklas Bendtner over the next week after all three sustained injuries while on international duty, but Abou Diaby will be included in the squad for the first time this season after overcoming a thigh problem.