Chelsea sweating on Robben injury

Chelsea hope to find out later this week the full extent of Arjen Robben‘s injury.

The Dutch winger had been in inspirational form as the Blues moved clear at the top of the Barclays Premiership.

Robben was, though, missing from the side yesterday when Chelsea were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge after injuring his foot during the win at Blackburn earlier in the week.

The 21-year-old was sidelined for almost three months after suffering a broken foot and ankle ligament damage during a pre-season friendly against Roma, and there are fears he may be facing a similar spell on the sidelines again.

An initial medical examination was inconclusive because swelling around the injury was so bad, and further tests are to be carried out as the club try to determine just how long they will be without one of their key performers.

Skipper John Terry picked up a bruised knee yesterday and along with full-back Wayne Bridge, who injured his foot against City, has withdrawn from the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly with Holland at Villa Park.

Striker Didier Drogba is also currently battling against a groin problem which has kept him out since the victory over Birmingham on January 30.

“I accept that Robben is a magnificent player and every team who loses a magnificent player, even with other good players, you always miss them. I think this is normal,” reflected Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

But even with his attacking options limited somewhat yesterday, Mourinho still felt his men had done enough to secure a ninth-successive league win which would have extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to 11 points.

As it was, the leaders were left frustrated after creating several openings, only to find City’s England goalkeeper David James having an inspired afternoon.

The most notable of his saves came deep into stoppage time at the end of the match, when he somehow kept out Frank Lampard’s strike from point-blank range to ensure City kept a clean sheet against Chelsea for the second time this season.

“They did not park the bus, no,” declared the Chelsea manager, having been critical of the way Tottenham approached their visit to west-London earlier in the season.

“I think they defended very well, with 11 players, but not with 11 defenders - they defend like we defend when we have to. They have a fantastic goalkeeper who makes fantastic saves.”

The Chelsea manager added: “I think people understand that we fought a lot to get a better result, but that we couldn‘t. That is football.”

Kevin Keegan was clearly the more satisfied of the two managers, even if his side‘s season again looks set to end in mid-table stability and with no bonus of an extended FA Cup run to attack.

The City boss, though, believes Chelsea’s emergence as genuine title challengers can only be good for the English game.

“I think the fact what has happened here at Chelsea has stopped the Manchester United and Arsenal thing, which was getting boring for people like me,” he said. “It is new kids on the block and that is good.”

Keegan, though, admitted he thought all of his team‘s efforts were set to have been for nothing when Lampard shaped to slot in what looked a certain winning goal deep in stoppage time.

“It was a hell of a save from David James,” reflected the City manager.

“When I saw him pulling the trigger, I thought ‘Oh no’ so we have had a bit of luck.”