Petit in fitness race

Chelsea’s French midfielder Emmanuel Petit is battling to recover from a foot injury in time to face his former club Arsenal on Sunday, with manager Claudio Ranieri reportedly trying to seal a loan-deal that would bring Lazio’s Dino Baggio to Stamford Bridge.

Petit missed Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton with a swollen instep, leaving Chelsea short of cover in midfield and Ranieri forced to start with two wingers, Boudewijn Zenden and Jesper Gronkjaer.