Soccer - FA Cup:Holders Chelsea will be without captain John Terry when they resume their bid to become the first side to defend the FA Cup title since Arsenal in 2003 as they host Championship outfit Cardiff on Saturday.
Terry has endured a turbulent few weeks having lost the England captaincy following revelations about his private life.
And, despite strong performances against Burnley, Hull and Arsenal, the stresses of recent events seemed to affect him against Everton last night, with his performance partly to blame for the Blues’ 2-1 defeat.
Chelsea assistant boss Ray Wilkins has since confirmed that Terry will be rested for the tie with the Bluebirds, with the 29-year-old expected to visit his wife in Dubai.
“John has been given a few days’ leave and he will not play on Saturday,” said Wilkins after the Goodison Park defeat. “John isn’t infallible, he will miss headers and he will get beaten in the air, but he’s been absolutely outstanding for us. We’ve been delighted with the way he’s played.”
The absence of the former England captain will give the Championship outfit some hope of an upset, in what is the clubs’ first meeting in this competition since 1927, and manager Dave Jones believes his players are looking forward to the challenge.
Elsewhere, Portsmouth will have to put the threat of liquidation to one side as they travel to St Mary’s to face south-coast neighbours and bitter rivals Southampton.
Cup winners only two seasons ago, Pompey find themselves in a dire situation, with their fate set to be decided next week after the British High Court yesterday gave them seven days to draw up a statement of their affairs.
Despite their financial problems, both the players and manager Avram Grant showed their commitment to the club by earning a last-ditch 1-1 draw with Sunderland in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
Showing the same desire and commitment against Southampton should be enough to see them through, but in the sides’ four FA Cup meetings down the years, the Saints have prevailed in each one.
Also on Saturday is the all-Premier League tussle between Manchester City and Stoke, Derby face Birmingham and the only all-Championship tie of the round and Reading clash with West Brom.
On Sunday, Bolton entertain Tottenham, Crystal Palace welcome Aston Villa and Fulham face the only League Two club remaining in the competition, Notts County.