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Ashley Cole missing for Wigan test; Lampard doubtful

Frank Lampard is struggling to be fit to face Wigan © Getty Images

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Ashley Cole has been ruled out of Chelsea's clash against Wigan this weekend, while Frank Lampard remains a major doubt.

Chelsea, riding high after booking a sixth Champions League semi-final in nine seasons, return to domestic matters when they face Wigan at Stamford Bridge on Saturday hoping to close the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham.

With the season reaching a crucial stage and the Blues five points adrift of Spurs, interim manager Roberto Di Matteo has suffered a blow with news that several of his key players are unavailable for the visit of a Wigan side battling to avoid relegation.

Cole has been sidelined after twisting his ankle in the Champions League second-leg tie with Benfica in midweek, while Lampard faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock to the knee in the same fixture.

Di Matteo has also confirmed skipper John Terry, who is struggling with cracked ribs, will not feature at the weekend.

"He won't be available for tomorrow, so we have to see how quickly he can recover," Di Matteo said of Terry. "It's difficult to deal with because there's not much you can do, in a position where it's difficult to make it better.

"We need to deal with the pain level and give him a bit of time to recover. We will manage and assess it on a daily basis and see what we can do to make him better to be available for the team.

"Sometimes you can play with a little pain, but if it is too much it is not worth it because you won't be able to perform at the best level. It's key for our players to get them fit as quick as possible. With a rib injury it needs time to heal basically and every time you get a knock you probably go a step back.

"Ashley Cole has twisted his ankle so won't be available, and maybe we will have to see about Frank Lampard. Frank got a knock just above his knee on his thigh muscle and is struggling for that at the moment. For tomorrow it is those three, we will assess them again and see for Monday."

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