Abby Brammell

In his hands: Chelsea's hopes against West Ham hang on rookie Ross Turnbull

Turnbull has done little to impress since signing on a free from Middlesbrough last year, making mistakes in his first reserve game which confirmed his place as the No 3.

‘It is a big test, for sure,’ said Ancelotti.

‘It is very, very difficult. I understand this and I think Ross Turnbull understands this, too.

‘But he has the quality to do well. He has worked very hard over a lot of sessions to improve his quality.

‘It is a good opportunity for him. I am not worried. He is a good, calm keeper.

‘Even fantastic keepers can make a mistake. Sometimes people criticise Petr Cech. It is important to be optimistic and hope he plays a good game.’

Carlo Ancelotti has been hit by a goalkeeping crisis which leaves Chelsea’s season precariously balanced in the hands of Ross Turnbull.

Henrique Hilario has been ruled out with a groin problem and, with Petr Cech already injured, third choice Turnbull will make his Barclays Premier League debut at home to West Ham.

The 25-year-old is also expected to play against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, a last-16 tie the Italian champions lead 2-1 after the first leg.


Out: No 1 Petr Cech and No 2 Hilario are both sidelined for Carlo Ancelotti's men

Turnbull has played only twice for Chelsea, as a substitute in a 4-0 Carling Cup win over Bolton in October and the Champions League group game against APOEL in December, which ended 2-2.

Joe Cole is by no means certain to start against his former club, but Ancelotti claimed the England midfielder was ‘100 per cent’ certain to extend his Chelsea contract, which expires in June.



source: dailymail