David Luiz and Gary Cahill's participation in the UEFA Champions League final remains in doubt as they battle to recover from hamstring injuries.
Luiz and Cahill ruled out of Blackburn clash
David Luiz and Gary Cahill's participation in the UEFA Champions League final remains in doubt as they battle to recover from hamstring injuries.
The central defensive duo have been ruled out of the final Premier League game of the season against Blackburn on Sunday as they are still to recover from their respective problems.
Roberto Di Matteo will continue to assess both men on a daily basis ahead of the 19th May showpiece against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
Brazil international Luiz has not featured since he was stretchered off during the FA Cup semi-final victory over Tottenham at Wembley on 15th April.
England defender Cahill joined his team-mate in the treatment room after suffering his own hamstring problem in the second leg of the Blues' memorable Champions League semi-final success against Barcelona at Camp Nou nine days later.
Di Matteo is eager to have both men back in contention for selection as captain John Terry and fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic cannot feature in Germany due to suspension.
The Italian admitted that he would have little option but to pitch the duo into the Champions League final despite their lack of match action and denied suggestions Luiz had suffered a setback.
Push them
He told
Sky Sports News: "David Luiz and Gary Cahill both won't be available for this Sunday. We are still trying our hardest, working towards having them in the group and training next week.
"They have been out for three or four weeks, it's not like three months. With the suspensions we have to try our hardest and push them as hard as we can.
"We always try to get them back as soon as possible and we tried, but he (Luiz) wasn't ready, so now we are trying for the last game."
With midfield duo Ramires and Raul Meireles also banned, Nigeria international John Obi Mikel is unlikely to be risked against Rovers on Sunday as he recovers from a knee injury.
Di Matteo has confirmed he will blood some of the Blues' youngsters against Rovers with Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish evaporating during Tuesday night's 4-1 defeat at Liverpool.
Their only route back into the Champions League for a 10th successive season would be by lifting the trophy next Saturday in Munich.
