Chelsea v Scunthorpe preview: Eden Hazard out of FA Cup clash
Monday 11 January 2016 17:06, UK
Chelsea forward Eden Hazard is out of Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash at home to Scunthorpe because of a groin injury.
Hazard sustained the injury in last week's win at Crystal Palace and the Blues have no intention to rush him back, meaning the Belgium international could miss both of next week's Premier League fixtures with West Brom and Everton.
Strikers Radamel Falcao (groin) and Loic Remy (calf) remain out, leaving Diego Costa as the only fit striker, so Guus Hiddink may call upon members of Chelsea's youth squads.
Despite having to shuffle his pack, Hiddink, who led Chelsea to the 2009 FA Cup, spoke about the importance of the competition to him and the club as they aim to turn around their season.
"It means a lot," said Hiddink. "At the time it was the only silverware we won, and the only one I won in this country.
"Besides that if you see the impact of the FA Cup not just in England but worldwide it's a huge tradition. I remember when I was a young man specifically watching FA Cup games on a Saturday afternoon.
"When I started we said we have to have some aims - with a big club you have to set some targets. Fourth place in the Premier League is difficult, but then there are two targets left of which one is the FA Cup. It is a big target for this group of players together."
Meanwhile, Scunthorpe captain Stephen Dawson wants his side, who are 15th in League One, to travel to Stamford Bridge without fear.
"No, I am not scared - it is something I look forward to," said Dawson,
"You don't really get the chance to play these kind of players week in, week out. Scared doesn't come into it. It is about 11 of us, the subs, whoever he picks, the whole team going out there and really giving our all. It is 11 v 11.
"If they turn up, then, yeah, it'll be very difficult - we're under no illusions. But we all know we are the underdog, people won't give us a chance, which is fair enough. We accept that but we want to go out there and do ourselves proud."
Opta Stats
Chelsea's only previous FA Cup contest against Scunthorpe came in January 2005, winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Scunthorpe haven't beaten a top-flight side in the FA Cup since beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in the Fourth Round in 1970 (D2 L12 since).
The Blues have progressed from the third round in each of the last 17 seasons, last falling to Manchester United in 1998 (lost 5-3).
The Irons have conceded three or more goals in each of their last four FA Cup games against top-flight teams, conceding five last time out to Everton in the third round in 2011.
