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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Hazard out of final

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has been ruled out of Wednesday's Europa League final with Benfica with a hamstring injury.



Hazard was taken off during Saturday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa as a precaution but despite travelling with the squad to Amsterdam on Tuesday, has continued to struggle with the problem.

Captain John Terry, who was also withdrawn early from the Villa Park clash with an ankle injury, will continue to be monitored.

"Hazard will not be available," interim boss Rafael Benitez told a press conference. "John, still we will try and see how he feels. We will try to see tomorrow."

Terry is pondering further disappointment after missing last season's Champions League final win in Munich through suspension but has often found himself behind David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic in the pecking order under Benitez.

The Blues' 25-man squad includes John Obi Mikel, who has missed the last four matches with a hip problem, as well as left-sided Ryan Bertrand following his recent knee injury.

Frank Lampard, who became the club's record goalscorer by netting twice in Birmingham, could be deployed in a deep midfield role alongside Luiz, with Ramires pushed further forward alongside Juan Mata and Oscar.

Oriol Romeu, who has not featured since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in December, also flew out with the Blues, along with Nathan Ake, who did not play in Monday night's FA Youth Cup final second leg.

Senegal forward Demba Ba is cup-tied having played earlier in the competition for Newcastle so Fernando Torres should start again up front.

Benfica, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after losing their lead in the Portuguese league to title rivals Porto in their top-of-the-table clash Saturday.

The Lisbon giants are one point behind the defending champions with a game to play after the 2-1 defeat.

Coach Jorge Jesus will have to try and lift his men's morale after they conceded in injury time in Porto after also being beaten Europa League semi-finalists two years ago.


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