Zola faces Cup fitness battle

Gianfranco Zola is facing a battle to be fit for Chelsea’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Stoke on Sunday after injuring his hamstring at Birmingham last weekend.

Zola, who lit up Chelsea’s fourth-round cup tie at Shrewsbury and scored twice in a 4-0 victory, underwent a scan earlier this week and, despite no apparent long-term damage, he is still a doubt for this weekend.