CHELSEA defender Ricardo Carvalho faces a race to be fit in time for their crucial game against Bolton on Sunday.
Carvalho limped out of their victory over Newcastle on Monday afternoon after twice falling heavily on his back. The Portuguese international underwent intensive treatment on the injury yesterday and is desperate to be fit in time to face Wanderers
at Stamford Bridge. A win would give Chelsea the title if Manchester United slip up at Wigan.
Striker Salomon Kalou is also struggling with an ankle injury but he should be fit in time.
However, the future of coach Avram Grant has once again come under spotlight, with Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard tipped, once more, to replace him at the end of the season.
This time the speculation over Grant's future was sparked by comments from the Israeli's close friend – Portsmouth player Richard Hughes.
Hughes, who became friends with Grant while he was director of football at Portsmouth, claimed that Grant would be happy to move aside and let Rijkaard takeover even though he has guided Chelsea to the final of the Champions League and to the brink of winning the domestic league crown.
Hughes insisted: "This will take place with Avram's blessing. He is a modest guy who does not particularly like being in the limelight. He'd be happy to revert to the role where he acts as a link between the coaching staff and the board.
"He is not in it for personal glory and could go about his business outside of the limelight."
The full article contains 263 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
