Nemanja Matic missed Scunthorpe clash due to training ground injury, Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink reveals
10 January 2016
- Chelsea eased into the FA Cup fourth round with 2-0 win over Scunthorpe
- Diego Costa opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 12th minute
- Half-time substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek secured result during second-half
- FA Cup 2016: See the latest third round news, results and highlights
The Serbian was struck in the back of the head by a goalkeeper’s throw during a game of six-a-side during a session last Saturday and the Chelsea manager said he was left out because of dizziness.
Hiddink said: ‘He was injured yesterday. We had the last session and one goalie threw the ball in the back of his head. He was a little bit dizzy, and still is a bit dizzy.’
Nemanja Matic (centre) missed Sunday's FA Cup clash due to a training ground injury sustained last Saturday
Matic is expected to return for Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League fixture with West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night, but goals from Diego Costa and Ruben Loftus-Cheek secured their passage into the Cup fourth round.
Hiddink praised Loftus-Cheek for a ‘beautiful’ first senior goal for the club after coming on as a half-time substitute for Oscar.
The Dutch coach said he was aware of Loftus-Cheek as one of the club’s academy talents during his first spell in charge back in 2009 but could now be about to reap the rewards of the 19-year-old’s talents.
Diego Costa steered in Branislav Ivanovic's right-wing cross to put Chelsea ahead after 12 minutes
Costa (second, left) celebrates with his Blues team-mates following his opening strike at Stamford Bridge
He said: ‘I knew their names, but I didn’t work with them [in 2009]. I’m starting to know them better and see possibilities they have. Ruben came in and scored a beautiful goal and that was good to see.
‘With one defensive controlling midfielder and two running players, he can play either side. With two controlling midfield players, he can play high in the midfield.
‘With the intensity of the Premier League, it is important they have a hard-working role. When he is the No 10, he is a little bit excused the defensive hard work.’
Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who replaced Oscar at half-time, fires his side into a 2-0 lead
Loftus-Cheek’s goal was celebrated enthusiastically by owner Roman Abramovich in the director’s box.
When asked about this, Hiddink said: ‘It’s normal if you have this academy with investment in young players, you must give them some credit to develop. That’s one of the objectives of the club.’
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink watches on from the sideline as his side booked their place in the next round
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