Soccer: Blues sweat on Duff fitness

CHELSEA were last night sweating on the results of fresh scans on Damien Duff’s dislocated shoulder amid fears the club’s most expensive player could be sidelined until February.

The £17 million winger is a key figure for the Blues and his absence, despite the wealth of talent at Claudio Ranieri's disposal, is still a major blow.

Duff, 24, suffered the injury in the seventh minute of Saturday's 1-0 victory against west London rivals Fulham at Loftus Road.

The winger fired a shot at goal but was tackled by Sean Davis as he connected with the ball and landed awkwardly, jarring his shoulder.

Boss Ranieri initially gave a positive diagnosis of just two or three weeks out. Duff has not chipped or broken any bone but fresh scans are due back imminently will reveal whether he has suffered muscle damage which would mean up to six weeks on the sidelines.

A positive verdict from doctors would confirm Duff's return early in the new year.

But the Republic of Ireland international, whose summer signing eclipsed even the huge fees paid for Hernan Crespo, Claude Makelele and Adrian Mutu, is certainly out of the Boxing Day clash against Charlton at The Valley.

Ranieri's side go into the contest amidst transfer speculation ahead of the opening of the January transfer window.

Valencia yesterday claimed they rejected a £9.3 million offer for Argentinian defender Roberto Ayala.

However, the Blues' acting chief executive Paul Smith said just a fortnight ago: "We like Ayala and had a look at him but unfortunately he's cup-tied after playing in the UEFA Cup.

"We want players who are available for our Champions League campaign."

Ayala is, of course, just one of a stream of big names linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

But Ranieri is confident his players are unperturbed by speculation over new players reported to be taking their place in the side.

Asked if he felt the media circus surrounding his team affected his men, he said: "No, don't worry about that.

"I understand the job of agents, who want to sell players to improve their own salary. They say Chelsea want their player but it's not true." Ranieri insists he will be happy with his players as long as they play well no matter the scoreline.

"All the team showed fantastic spirit against Fulham," he said. "I like that spirit and I don't mind losing if we show that spirit.

"The players know me very well and sometimes, when we win, I say to my players I didn't like their performance. But sometimes when we lose, I say 'well done, you played very well.' And when you play well and create a lot of chances, you will score goals sooner or later."

Ranieri has Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink back to face Charlton after his one-match ban for five yellow cards.

But Eidur Gudjohnsen, Juan Sebastian Veron and Emmanuel Petit are still expected to miss out with their respective ankle, back and knee injuries.