Cudicini out of European quarter-final

The Chelsea manager, Claudio Ranieri, confirmed that it will be another month before the goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini returns to action after surgery.

The Chelsea manager, Claudio Ranieri, confirmed that it will be another month before the goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini returns to action after surgery.

Cudicini broke a bone in his hand in training last week and will definitely miss his side's Champions' League quarter-final tie against Arsenal, but could be back in time for the semi-finals if Chelsea qualify.

Ranieri also responded to the latest speculation about whether he has a future at the club. "From the beginning, there have been these rumours and I don't give importance to this rubbish," he said.

"I continue to build and think about my team. That is the most important thing. If I had to win a trophy, I would buy players who were 28 or 29, who are full of experience.

"But I prefer to continue with the idea of Roman Abramovich, Peter Kenyon and myself to build very good young players," he added.