Duff fails late fitness test

Chelsea winger Damien Duff failed a late fitness test and was unavailable for his side’s Champions League semi-final first-leg clash against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Coach Jose Mourinho could not gamble on the fitness of Arjen Robben either as his replacement and the flying Dutchman, back in action after an ankle injury, had to be content with a place on the bench.

Mourinho drafted Tiago into his starting line-up in midfield as Chelsea reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.

Liverpool striker Harry Kewell, who has played just twice since mid-December due to a combination of back, hamstring and groin troubles, was named on the bench.

Milan Baros was given the lone striking role in Rafael Benitez’s starting line-up despite having four stitches in an injury he suffered at Crystal Palace last Saturday.

But French striker Djibril Cisse, who has yet to begin a match since his comeback from a broken leg, continued on the bench while Spanish pair Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia, who both missed the defeat at Selhurst Park because of shin and thigh injuries respectively, were named in the Liverpool side.

Chelsea v Liverpool teams

Chelsea: Cech, Johnson, Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Gallas, Tiago, Makelele, Lampard, Gudjohnsen, Drogba, Cole.

Subs: Cudicini, Smertin, Kezman, Geremi, Robben, Forssell, Huth.

Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Traore, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Biscan, Luis Garcia, Baros.

Subs: Carson, Kewell, Cisse, Smicer, Le Tallec, Nunez, Warnock.

Referee: Alain Sars (France)

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Newcastle v Middlesbrough teams

Newcastle: Given, Ramage, Andrew O’Brien, Boumsong, Elliott, Ambrose, Carr, N’Zogbia, Shearer, Milner, Dyer.

Subs: Kluivert, Harper, Ameobi, Robert, Brittain.

Middlesbrough: Jones, Davies, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Parlour, Doriva, Boateng, Zenden, Nemeth, Hasselbaink.

Subs: Reiziger, Downing, Graham, Wheater, Knight.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)