Both the Daily Mail and the Independent are carrying stories this morning stating that Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic faces at least a month on the sidelines after suffering torn knee ligaments in the 1-1 stalemate at Blackburn on Sunday. The Independent confirms that a scan yesterday revealed a tear to his medial collateral ligament although there is yet to be any such confirmation from Chelsea.

Ivanovic was replaced by Zhirkov at half-time in that game with Ferreira switching to right-back to cover the Serb’s absence. If these reports are confirmed, he now looks likely to compete for that position with Juliano Belletti for the month ahead, with Bosingwa still sidelined.

In fantasy terms Ivanovic is owned by just under 10% of Fantasy Premier League managers having previously offered a cheap-ish route to the Chelsea back four. However, Ancelotti’s side have kept just two clean sheets in their last eight league games curbing further investment in their rearguard. This latest injury setback for a Chelsea defender is likely to see Ivanovic owners look elsewhere for a recruit…

Tottenham’s Gareth Bale with his strong form in left flank role and with home fixture with Portsmouth this weekend, looks a very strong short-term candidate. Bale is available for just 5.4 in the FPL but will likely lineup for Spurs against Fulham in the FA Cup on Wednesday. Wise managers will likely wait until that game has passed before sniffing around Bale.

The Tottenham full-back may only be seen as a short-term solution given their forthcoming fixtures. Harry Redknapp’s side take on a trip to Sunderland following the Portsmouth game but then face Arsenal and Chelsea in consecutive home matches before travelling to Old Trafford. An evil trio of fixtures. As our Watchlist hightlights (in your right-hand menu) Everton’s Leighton Baines or perhaps investment in the Liverpool, Fulham, Villa or Stoke defences – all with kinder fixtures over the close season, looks a stronger long-term solution for Ivanovic owners.