Boost for Chelsea ahead of semi-final

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Chelsea striker Demba Ba is expected to shake off an ankle problem in time for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final showdown with Manchester City at Wembley.

Ba picked up the injury during last weekend’s home win against Sunderland and was substituted at half-time.

But the former Newcastle man has since returned to training and looks likely to be passed fit.

Ryan Bertrand of Chelsea
Bertrand trained on Friday morning.

And interim manager Rafael Benitez also believes Ryan Bertrand will be available to face the Premier League champions.

Bertrand, who has been standing in for the injured Ashley Cole, missed Thursday’s Europa League game against Rubin Kazan because of illness, leading Benitez to deploy Paulo Ferreira as a makeshift left-back.

Bertrand appears to have recovered well and should be cleared to return to the starting line-up.

Benitez said: “Demba Ba was training today and was fine. It was a light session, but he was training.

“Bertrand, who was sick the other day, has been training and doing well. I think they will be available.”

Chelsea are still without Gary Cahill, who is recovering from a knee injury.

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