
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.