Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will not recall Alex despite defensive injury concerns

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has insisted he will not recall defender Alex to the first team during the Christmas period despite his side’s mounting injury problems at the back.

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David Luiz faces a race to be fit ahead of the Blues’ Boxing Day clash against Fulham, with Branislav Ivanovic also a doubt after sustaining an injury during the club’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

Villas-Boas has maintained that he will not bring Alex back into the fray, however, with the centre-back almost certain to move on during the January transfer window after handing in a transfer request and being forced to train away from the first team.

"We accepted a transfer request [from Alex] in anticipation of the market and we are not stupid people," Villas-Boas told reporters.

"We do not accept a transfer request and put people training apart and then dial 999 and ask for help.

"We will stick to our principles and our values for the decision we felt was good for the club," he insisted.

"That was the decision we felt sensible, and we will stick to it. Alex is extremely professional and has personal ambitions, which is why we accepted his request.

"But we want everybody on the same tune regarding training, commitment, concentration and immediate club objectives."

Jose Bosingwa filled in at centre-back for the Blues against Tottenham, with Paulo Ferreira featuring for the first time this season in the Premier League at right-back.

"This was a fantastic adaptation and another solution that we have in the squad," Villas-Boas said.

"Hopefully, David can return for contention for the game against Fulham.

"But, if not, from Oriol [Romeu] to Bosingwa, both can play in that position - and Paulo has done it in the past."

A central defender, however, is a priority for Villas-Boas going into the January transfer window, with Bolton Wanderers' Gary Cahill expected to complete a move to Stamford Bridge.

"He is extremely interesting, a player of course that terminates his contract [at the end of the season]," Villas-Boas said.

"But we would be stupid if we shortened our targets just to one.

"I think you know that we will be in the market for a centre-half. It's pretty obvious based on the fact that we've accepted Alex's transfer request.

"We'll have to let the market open and then find out what happens regarding Alex.

"We will have to respond quickly in the market, not because of the urgency but because we're willing to fill that position with one more central defender."

That might not be all the business Chelsea do, however, with Villas-Boas admitting the Africa Cup of Nations could present him with more selection conundrums.

"Injuries will play a part and our squad will shorten by the departures of two players, Didier [Drogba] and [Salomon] Kalou to the Africa Cup of Nations, but we have to wait and see if we will need somebody else or not," he said.