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Chelsea are without the suspended pair Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti for their FA Cup quarter-final against Stoke at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Centre-half Ricardo Carvalho faces a late fitness test after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Portugal. Goalkeeper Hilario will continue to deputise for Petr Cech who is recovering from a calf injury. Midfielder Michael Essien remains sidelined with a knee injury. Gael Kakuta, who played twice for France in midweek, also misses out and there is a doubt over Yury Zhirkov (calf). Jose Bosingwa is out for the rest of the season as he requires further knee surgery. | |||||
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Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross starts a three-match suspension. Shawcross was sent off last weekend for his tackle on Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey which resulted in the young midfielder breaking his leg in two places. Stoke will await fitness checks on Matthew Etherington (knee) and Danny Higginbotham (back), who have missed three and four matches respectively, before naming their side. | |||||