Blackburn v Chelsea preview

Nov 9 2008

CHELSEA gaffer Luiz Felipe Scolari last night admitted being shocked at how physical the Premier League is.

But the Brazilian stopped short of repeating Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger's controversial claim last week that some players are out to deliberately hurt.

Scolari spoke out ahead of his side's potentially tricky trip to battling Blackburn this afternoon.

And he conceded the Blues will have to change their tactics to cope with some of the league's more combative teams.

He said. "Yes, sometimes the games are more physical than I was expecting.

"Sometimes we need to adapt to sides that are much bigger. Sometimes teams play with more physical contact but not to injure."

Deco is likely to start at Ewood Park despite admitting he is struggling to rediscover his best form.

The midfielder made an impressive start to his Chelsea career but picked up a hip injury in September and has not had the same impact since his return.

The £7.9million ex-Barca star said: "The injury came at a bad time because I was playing well and in good condition - but they never come when you want.

"I'm progressing but need more games before feeling 100 per cent."

Deco, 31, will be more determined to help the team get back to winning ways after being sent off in the 3-1 Champions League defeat to Roma in midweek.

He signed a two-year contract at Stamford Bridge and feels his dip in form is only temporary.

The Portuguese ace said: "I don't know how good I'll be playing in three years but I can do some important things for Chelsea. I don't feel old and have three or four more years at the top."

Rovers boss Paul Ince insists they won't be in awe of Chelsea.

He said: "We are under no illusions. Chelsea have better players than us - they are world-class.

But we can't afford to fear them.

"If we work as hard as we can and get a little luck, who knows.

We'll have a go for sure."

Injuries and suspensions mean Ince will be forced to look to striker Jason Roberts and unsung midfielder Keith Andrews.

Brett Emerton is out with a hamstring problem while Steven Reid and David Dunn are long-term absentees.