Chelsea’s Ace Ivanovic ruled out for a month

(GSM) – Chelsea’s miserable week has taken another turn for the worse with Branislav Ivanovic ruled out for a month, leaving them without both first-choice right backs.

After crashing out of the Champions League and drawing with Blackburn, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could have done without another headache — but Ivanovic has torn a knee ligament. Jose Bosingwa is already out for the season with an injured knee.

Left back Ashley Cole is also sidelined until May after fracturing his left ankle.

Ivanovic, 26, limped off just before half-time in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Blackburn on Sunday.

A scan yesterday confirmed the Serbia international has torn a medial collateral ligament. After playing in 24 of Chelsea’s 30 league games this season, he will now miss the key clashes against Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on April 10.

Yuri Zhirkov replaced Ivanovic at Blackburn on Sunday and Paulo Ferreira could also fill in on the right.

Ancelotti has admitted tomorrow’s trip to Portsmouth is a must-win game.

Ancelotti has also argued that his side are not too old to win the Premier League.

Chelsea boss said, “It’s not a good moment for us because we have some injuries but I think we have the possibility to improve and stay in the battle for the title until the end of the season.”

“We want to win the Premier League because we have the quality to do it. This team isn’t old. We (just) have to get our confidence back,” he explained with confidence.