Rafa Benitez: Oriol Romeu expected to miss Chelsea's Japan trip

The Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has indicated that Oriol Romeu may miss the World Club Cup in Japan.

The defensive midfielder was stretchered off in the first half of today’s 3-1 win over Sunderland, after landing awkwardly jumping for the ball.

Benitez said: “He is going to London and then the doctor will have to check and say what is going on.

“But when a player leaves the pitch limping, to have to go to Japan right now I think it will be difficult for him. At the moment he must stay with the doctor and make sure everything is fine.”

Chelsea will however have John Obi Mikel available for the World Club Cup, after missing the Sunderland game, the first of a 3 domestic match ban picked up for his part in the Mark Clattenburg affair.

Chelsea will be quietly confident of winning the clubs first trophy of the year in Japan, after winning back-to-back games for the first time in months.

Chelsea have struggled for form since the 3-2 loss to Manchester United and these two consecutive wins will come as a timely boost ahead of the WCC.

It is unfortunate to lose Oriol so recently after breaking into the first-team, but I don’t expect the Spaniard to be out for long. Watch this space for updates.