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Bridge set for come-back match

26/10/2005

Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge is set to make his long-awaited return to first team action tonight as the Premiership champions host Charlton in the Carling Cup.

The 25-year-old defender has spent nine months on the sidelines since breaking an ankle at Newcastle in February.

He has featured in five reserve team matches during the past few weeks and although eager to play, he admits he is still fairly cautious after the horror injury.

"I broke the fibula which isn't so bad, but the ankle almost came away from the leg," the former Southampton star said.

"I ripped all the ligaments bar one. It was hanging on by one ligament."

Jose Mourinho has not unveiled his line-up for the clash but he is expected to field a strong team against Alan Curbishley's high-flyers.

Blues assistant coach Steve Clarke said: "We are taking [the competition] as seriously as we did last season and went all the way to win it.

"You get a trophy in February if you win it and that's a big boost. I think Charlton will play a very strong team. They gave us a difficult game down at the Valley and we expect another difficult game tomorrow."

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