Ranieri bid for Parker rejected by Charlton

Claudio Ranieri yesterday claimed he is satisfied with his Chelsea squad - just hours after Charlton rejected a Chelsea approach for their England midfielder Scott Parker.

Ranieri, whose team face First Division Watford at Stamford Bridge tonight in their FA Cup third-round replay, discovered yesterday morning his reported £6m enquiry for Parker had been rebuffed. But the Italian insisted: "I am very happy with the players I have. I have 21 outfield players and then goalkeepers as well.

"The only thing I am thinking about is the Watford game." Charlton issued an angry rebuttal of Chelsea's move for their 23-year-old star player, who they are said to value at £12m. Charlton's chief executive, Peter Varney, said: "Scott's not for sale and we do not welcome this enquiry. We sincerely hope Chelsea accept our decision in this matter.

"Scott signed a new contract in the summer and is a vital part of our plans as we continue establishing Charlton as one of the top clubs in the country."

Charlton's rejection of Chelsea's approach for Parker was not the only bad news for the Stamford Bridge side yesterday. Reports suggest Juan Sebastian Veron could face surgery on his back problem - and although not explicitly confirming that, Ranieri did admit: "He's only 50 per cent or 60 per cent and I check on him every day." And Veron will be joined in the treatment room for the next six weeks by forward Hernan Crespo. The £16.8m Argentinian front man is set for a lay-off twice as long as first expected after further examination of his calf injury.

Looking towards tonight's FA Cup tie Ranieri had stern words for his squad as they prepare to take on the First Division strugglers Watford - with a fourth-round tie against either Third Division Southend or Conference side Scarborough lying in wait for the winners.

"I want to see us play like we did against Leicester on Sunday [Chelsea won 4-0]," Ranieri added. Chelsea could welcome back winger Damien Duff after his dislocated shoulder.

The Watford striker Heidar Helguson is doubtful. Neil Cox returns in the centre of defence after missing the first game through suspension.

Scarborough will be without their defender Matt Redmile and midfielder Wayne Gill for their FA Cup third-round replay with Southend. Both serve suspensions as a result of their dismissals in the Boxing Day match with Halifax. Karl Rose (heel) and Steve Baker (hamstring) are both doubtful.

Southend's Tes Bramble has recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the 1-1 draw at Cheltenham on Friday. Jimmy Corbett (ankle) is a major doubt, though, while the midfielder Leke Odunsi is struggling with a bruised bone in his foot. The forward Drewe Broughton serves the first match of a two-game ban and the midfielder Jamie Fullarton is also out with a fractured collarbone. However, Che Wilson and Michael Husbands and Mark Gower should be available.

The Leicester City midfielder Muzzy Izzet will be absent with an Achilles problem for the all-Premiership third-round replay at the Walkers Stadium against Manchester City. Riccardo Scimeca is still troubled by his shin injury but the defenders Matt Elliott, John Curtis and Frank Sinclair will come into contention. Kevin Ellegaard will continue in goal for Manchester City, who have now gone 14 games without a win. Sun Jihai is back after suspension, but Claudio Reyna (calf) is still missing.