The Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand is braced to be the target of abuse from Chelsea supporters in tomorrow’s west London derby despite Roberto Di Matteo, the European Cup finalists’ interim first-team coach, urging the home fans to “behave in the right manner” given the particular sensitivities surrounding the fixture.

The match will be Ferdinand’s first at Stamford Bridge since accusations surfaced that he had been racially abused by John Terry in this season’s first meeting between the sides back in October. Terry is due in Westminster magistrates’ court on July 9th to answer those allegations and denies the charges. But the trial has already prompted the Premier League to abandon the customary pre-match handshake between the teams.

“There is a big rivalry between the two clubs anyway but, with everything that has happened, I know there will be some fans targeting me. The Chelsea fans believe what they want to believe. They have their own view on what’s gone on and if they are going to give me stick, that’s their problem,” said a defiant Ferdinand.