Duff admits big risk over injury

CHELSEA winger Damien Duff admits he took a “big risk” with his fitness in ignoring specialist advice telling him to have an operation on his shoulder injury.

Duff, who dislocated his shoulder against Fulham on December 20, returned to action in Chelsea's midweek FA Cup third-round replay against Watford as a substitute.

The Republic of Ireland international is now hoping that his injury problems are behind him as he approaches Sunday's Barclaycard Premiership game against Birmingham.