Deco and Carvalho injury blow for Chelsea
Carvalho will be out for a month, while Deco could return in two weeks
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A goal from Salomon Kalou ten minutes from time gave Chelsea a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. |  |
Monday, 22, Sep 2008 10:48
Chelsea will be without their Portuguese stars Deco and Ricardo Carvalho for a number of weeks after the duo suffered injuries during Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United.
Deco, who was injured the in the pre-match warm-up and replaced by Michael Ballack, is expected to be out for two weeks which would rule him out of Wedneday's Carling Cup game with Portsmouth, league matches against Stoke City and Aston Villa, and the Champions League tie away at Romanian minnows FC Cluj.
"Deco has been diagnosed with a tear in an upper thigh muscle and will be out for approximately two weeks," a statement on the club's official website said.
Carvalho was replaced by Alex as he limped off during the first-half of Sunday's 1-1 draw, and is expected to be out for up to a month but could return in time for the crucial Champions League game with AS Roma and the Premier League game at home to Liverpool at the end of October.
"A scan has shown that Carvalho strained a medial collateral ligament in his knee. It is expected to be three-to-four weeks until the central defender is back in action," the statement continued.
Chelsea, who already a long-period without Michael Essien, are expected to sign 33-year-old Brazil midfielder Mineiro on a free transfer.