9:08pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
By Gordon Sharrock
Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho faces a race to be fit in time for their crucial game against Bolton on Sunday.
Carvalho limped out of their victory over Newcastle on Monday afternoon after twice falling heavily on his back.
The Portuguese international underwent intensive treatment on the injury and is desperate to be fit in time to face Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea know that a result which betters Manchester United's on the final day of the season will earn them the title.
Carvalho has become a vital member of the side and has not been on the losing side in the last 42 league games he has played in.
It is a run that stretches back to Chelsea's away defeat at Tottenham in November 2006.
Striker Salomon Kalou is also struggling with an ankle injury but he should be fit in time.
Meanwhile, England left-back Ashley Cole, rested for their win over Newcastle on Monday, believes Bolton will not make it easy for them.
"Bolton will be coming to the Bridge wanting to win whether they are safe or not, we'll be so focused and determined to beat them," said Cole.
"We have a lot of big players with big hearts and everyone wants to win. We have to win because it would be a killer if Manchester United got a draw and we didn't get a result."
lPORTSMOUTH boss Harry Redknapp is unlikely to risk David James in Sunday's final Premiership game against survival-chasing Fulham.
James has been cleared to play in the FA Cup Final on Saturday week after scans allayed fears over the calf problem that has kept him out of the last two league games.
But Redknapp is expected to take no chances in a game that means little to Pompey but could have a major bearing on the relegation issue with Fulham, currently fourth bottom, knowing a win would see them safe. The outcome of the Fratton Park clash could also have an impact on Wanderers in the unlikely event that their result at Chelsea and Reading's final game at Derby go so horribly wrong that Steve Coppell's Royals breach the current gap of 11 in their respective goal differences.
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