Chelsea await injury news on Marco van Ginkel and Ramires following victory over Swindon
Jose Mourinho's side advanced to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup last night
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea will today count the cost of their Capital One Cup triumph over Swindon as they assess a potentially serious knee injury to Marco van Ginkel and also a hip problem for Ramires.
Jose Mourinho's side overcame their Sky Bet League One hosts 2-0 at the County Ground but the night was tinged with disappointment.
Van Ginkel - making only his second Blues start following a summer switch from Vitesse Arnhem - went down after an early challenge from Town midfielder Alex Pritchard and, despite briefly trying to carry on, soon hobbled off in the 10th minute.
He was replaced by fellow midfielder Ramires, who added to Fernando Torres' opener with Chelsea's second goal of the night, before then being forced off himself at half-time.
But it is Van Ginkel's injury which is providing the greater concern.
Assistant first-team coach Steve Holland said: "We've got an injury to Marco which, it's a little bit too early to be certain but it doesn't look good.
"He'll have a scan on Wednesday on an injury to his knee. It's too early to say (if it's a bad one) but let's hope that's not the case. It didn't look good as he came off so early in the game. We'll have to see the results of the scan, we'll know more on Wednesday.
"And his substitute, Ramires, also had to go off with a muscular injury at the top of his hip which was causing him more discomfort as he tried to run it off. He'll be a major doubt for Saturday at Tottenham, not out for sure yet, but a major doubt.
"They're the two disappointments of the evening."
Swindon put up brave resistance against top-flight opposition and could be proud of their efforts, with Dany N'Guessan seeing a header correctly ruled marginally offside just after the break.
The Robins now return to league action and an assault on promotion under boss Mark Cooper, who has only been in the job on a permanent basis for a month after initially arriving as assistant manager before then taking the caretaker reins over the summer.
In the build-up to the cup tie Cooper admitted he was hoping to pick the brains of respected Chelsea boss Mourinho after the clash, but he revealed he did not get the opportunity to do so.
"He just said 'well played, your team played well and best of luck for the season'," Cooper said.
"I know he's got a million people pestering him before the game, at half-time and after the game. I completely understand."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments