Chelsea will be at full strength on the pitch at least for the daunting challenge of Bayern. Off the pitch, Jose will not be seen at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea has announced that Jose has decided to keep away from the Bridge completely and will not be re-united with his players until the next scheduled training session.

The news was announced at a press conference by Jose's long standing friend, Baltermar Brito.

"He works closely enough with the players during the week, there’s no need to have extra-special contact.

"I know as much as he does about the players, the way the players play. But José Mourinho makes the decisions (on substitutions). We have already thought ahead. Myself and the team do have the ability to react to situations, however.

Another Chelsea absentee will Mateja Kezman who is suspended after collecting three yellow cards in previous matches. Kezman's absence has allowed the return of a 'long lost' son, Mikael Forssell.

Bayern Munich are without Pizzarro who was injured at the weekend against Wolfsburg. There is no news on whether Roy Makaay has recovered from his injury, picked up in the same game. Certain to start though will be Munich's midfield general Michael Ballack who is the man that Chelsea will have to watch very very carefully indeed.

Jose's probable team selection:

Cech, Johnson, Terry, Carvalho, Gallas, Makelele, Cole, Lampard, Duff, Gudjohnsen, Drogba

As a post note, rumours are abound that Chelsea will have FOUR players in the final nominations for the PFA Player of the Year. They are Petr Cech, John Terry, Arjen Robben and Frank Lampard. The other two nominess are Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Crystal Palace's Andrew Johnson and quite deservedly too.

Although the PFA Player of the Year will not be announced until Sunday 24th April, extreme rumours are rife that JT has won it (I know for a fact that he got Alan Shearer's and Gareth Southgate's vote, snigger) with Frank Lampard, second and Arjen Robben in third place. Again I have to insist that these nominations and the final list are all subject to rumour, specualtion and gossip.

COME ON CHELSEA!
KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH