Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has handed Chelsea an injury scare after picking up an injury on international duty.

The Blues defender was a late withdrawal from the Portugal side for Wednesday's friendly with China because of a thigh problem.

The decision to leave him out was taken as a precautionary measure after the experienced centre-back reported pain in his right thigh.

Carvalho is now a doubt for this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final against Stoke, although Chelsea are waiting to find out the full extent of the injury.

Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping it is not serious as the Italian coach gets ready for a busy period of fixtures including the return meeting with Inter Milan in the Champions League on March 16.