Chelsea confirm Carvalho absence

Portuguese international centre-back Ricardo Carvalho could miss Chelsea FC's next two UEFA Champions League fixtures after pulling a hamstring during Wednesday's 3-0 Premier League victory at Hull City AFC.

Rome trip
The 30-year-old only returned last week from a month on the sidelines with a strained medial collateral ligament in his knee, and now faces "a minimum of three weeks" out after leaving the pitch late on clutching the back of his thigh. Carvalho will definitely sit out Tuesday's trip to AS Roma – when a win could clinch qualification for the knockout stages – and possibly the penultimate Group A game at FC Girondins de Bordeaux on 26 November. The former FC Porto defender will also play no part in Portugal's friendly in Brazil on 19 November.

Cole concern
Joe Cole also injured an ankle at the KC Stadium, and was taken off as a precaution in the 54th minute to prevent further damage. Chelsea "retain hope" that the midfield player will be fit for Saturday's visit of Sunderland AFC, however. Frank Lampard (3), Nicolas Anelka (50) and Florent Malouda (75) scored unanswered goals at Hull as Chelsea put Sunday's home defeat by Liverpool FC behind them to remain three points behind the Premier League leaders with ten rounds played.

Lampard praised
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari reserved special praise for Lampard's early strike. "It's one of the best goals I've seen in my life," said the 59-year-old. "It is a goal only a player of Frank Lampard's quality can score. He is an intelligent player, all game he played very well, and he is a man who's never tired. I don't see any player who's the same as Lampard. He is fantastic for a coach."