Di Matteo tips Bertrand to shine

By

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has backed Ryan Bertrand to make his mark against Shakhtar Donetsk in the absence of Ashley Cole.

A hamstring problem has ruled Cole out of Wednesday’s European clash and Bertrand, touted as the England left-back’s long-term replacement at Stamford Bridge, is set to start.

Di Matteo showed his faith in the 23-year-old by selecting him for the Champions League Final and has no qualms about calling upon him again.

The Italian said: “It [Cole’s injury] is a real shame because he’s got all the experience you need in a game like this. It’s a real blow for us.

“On the other hand, John Terry [who is serving a domestic suspension] is available for us again.

“Over the course of a long season you have to take into consideration that you will get some injuries.

“Ryan has performed well for us every time he’s played and I have full confidence in him that he’s going to play a great game.”

Click here for the Chelsea v Shakhtar quiz

 

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

 

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook