Chelsea vs Newcastle preview - Neck injury could sideline Terry

Posted Saturday, August 25, 2012 by PA

Chelsea are likely to be without captain John Terry for the Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle.

Terry injured his neck during Wednesday night's 4-2 victory over Reading.

"John is struggling. He's a great leader and it's a big loss for us," boss Robert Di Matteo said.

If as expected he fails to recover, Terry is likely to be replaced in the starting line-up by David Luiz, who sat out the season opener at Stamford Bridge with a knee problem.

Marko Marin remains unavailable because of a hamstring injury.

Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta has completed his move from Marseille, while Di Matteo confirmed that Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Victor Moses from Wigan.

The clubs have agreed a fee reported to be worth £9million for Moses after Chelsea's fifth offer for the 21-year-old Nigeria winger was accepted.

"The clubs have agreed terms now. The player will have a medical. Subject to that he might become a Chelsea player," the Italian said.

"(Wigan manager) Roberto Martinez has done a wonderful job with this player since signing him. He's really developed him. He had a very good season last year and hopefully we can progress his development.

"He can play on either wing and wing and will give the team width. He has good dribbling ability, has pace and is powerful. We've tried very hard to get this player. We like him very much. He's young and hopefully he'll be the future of the club."

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will make late checks on skipper Fabricio Coloccini and striker Demba Ba.

The pair were among nine men who missed or were rested for the 1-1 Europa League play-off draw at Atromitos, the Argentinian with a thigh problem and Senegal international Ba with a sore shin.

Cheick Tiote (calf) and Shola Ameobi (hamstring) remain doubts.

Pardew has challenged his team to hand Chelsea another taste of misery against the odds to cement their promising start to the new season.

The Magpies flew straight to London from Greece to finalise their preparations for Saturday night's fixture at Stamford Bridge, which will kick off less than 48 hours after their exertions in Athens.

That, coupled with the task of taking on the European champions in their own backyard, makes a repeat of last season's stunning 2-0 victory there all the more difficult.

However, Pardew is confident there is enough within his squad to tackle a Chelsea side which has been strengthened significantly by the addition of the likes of the £32million Eden Hazard and the £25million Brazilian Oscar.

Pardew said: "Chelsea are the European champions. They won the Champions League and they have improved since then - Hazard looks a great buy. We know him well, so we know what to expect from him.

"There are no surprises in that team, but I think in some ways, we can match them and give a good showing there."