Ranieri weary of di Canio influence

Claudio Ranieri fears Paolo di Canio’s presence could spark a visit from the ghost of Christmas past when Chelsea take on Charlton at The Valley on Boxing Day.

The Blues’ season collapsed after December 25 last year as the Londoners drew with Southampton and lost at Leeds and Arsenal to find themselves cut adrift in the title race.

Boss Ranieri is now worried about history repeating itself – and his concern focuses on maverick Italian striker di Canio.

The veteran forward, likely to start up front for the Addicks, masterminded Chelsea’s downfall twice last term as a West Ham player.

First, he struck a glittering brace – including an absolute wonder-goal from 30 yards – to earn a 3-2 triumph at Stamford Bridge.

Then, in May, with the Hammers clinging to their Premiership status by their fingernails, di Canio scored the only goal of the game at Upton Park to revive hopes of survival before the club were relegated the following week.

Ranieri, whose team is in the thick of the championship race after being transformed by Roman Abramovich’s millions, said: “Charlton are like we were a year ago.

“They couldn’t strengthen their team much in the summer – but the players know each other better and have improved as a team.

“They did sign Paolo Di Canio, who scored a lot of goals against us last season.

“And Charlton were our bogey team for two years so it will be difficult.”

There was a Christmas boost for Chelsea with the news Damien Duff will only be sidelined for three weeks with the dislocated shoulder he suffered in Saturday’s 1-0 success at Fulham.

Chelsea, who feared the Irishman could be out until February, today received the results of scans which showed he did not suffer any extensive muscle damage.

The Blues consulted shoulder specialists and decided not to book Duff in for an operation – although the club say that option “may still be considered” at a later date.

Duff, a club-record transfer when he was bought, told the club’s website, www.chelseafc.com: “I’d far rather be playing than having an operation. I’ve been determined to come back as soon as possible.

“I’m sore but I feel much better already.”

Ranieri will mull over his selection options before finalising the line-up to tackle seventh-place Charlton.

“I am the Tinkerman,” he added. “Sometimes I like to tinker but sometimes I like to stay the same.

“Now we’ve lost Duff and are also without Juan Sebastian Veron and Emmanuel Petit so I can’t change too much and I can’t stay the same.

“But I have Joe Cole, who can play behind the forwards or on the left. So we can play with a diamond or with a midfield four.”

While midfielders Veron and Petit are still out with their respective back and knee injuries, Eidur Gudjohnsen is set for a squad role after recovering from his ankle problem.

Striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is back after his one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards.

Chelsea have not given Charlton permission to field their on-loan forward Carlton Cole against his parent club.