Chelsea, Deco could be out for rest of season

The Chelsea midfielder Deco, who started the match against Manchester City before being withdrawn in the first half, has a hamstring injury which might keep him out for the rest of the season, The Guardian reported.

The muscle tear had kept Deco out for three weeks, and though he was passed fit for this afternoon’s game – his first start since January – he lasted only 40 minutes before being replaced by Juliano Belletti. The injury was initially reported as being of a minor nature, likely to sideline the player for no more than a few days, but it has proved to be persistent. “I think he will be out for a while,” the Chelsea manager, Guus Hiddink, said. “He was fit and has been working hard but got the same problem again.”