Ancelotti: Torres will score this season

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is adamant that 50 million-pound signing Fernando Torres will break his duck before the end of the season.

Chelsea smashed the English Premier League transfer record to land Torres from Liverpool in January but he has so far failed to live up to his hefty fee and is without a goal in his first eight appearances for the club.

Ancelotti left the World Cup winner on the bench for Saturday’s match at West Brom, which Chelsea won 3-1 thanks to goals from Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou.

The manager admits it might be hard for Torres to get back into the starting line-up after the result at the Hawthorns, but insists the striker will find the net before the end of the season.

“He will score,” Ancelotti said. “He can score if he plays.”

“It’s very difficult to change the team that played so well against West Brom, not just for the result, not just for the performance. They did very well against West Bromwich.”

“We are working with him like we are with the other strikers. He has exercises to score – shooting, crossing – but nothing different from the others.”

“I think he wants to score and he’s not happy for this reason. I would like to see my players every time happy and with confidence.”

“It’s not a good moment for Fernando, but I want to do my best to support him.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been dealt a treble injury blow ahead of Wednesday’s home league game with Birmingham.

Midfielder Ramires and defender Alex have been definitely ruled out, while Chelsea are sweating on the fitness of Branislav Ivanovic, who will be assessed after Tuesday’s training session.

The Brazilian pair missed Saturday’s trip to West Brom because of minor hamstring strains, with Ivanovic a major doubt to face Birmingham because of fatigue.

“Alex and Ramires will not be involved and we have a problem with Ivanovic,” Ancelotti said.

“We will check him in training. All the other players are ok.”

“(Ivanovic) was tired against West Brom and he is still a little tired. His muscle is tight and he will train today (Tuesday) and we will see.”