Mourinho's mind games

Jose Mourinho warmed up for his biggest test since becoming Chelsea manager today by playing mind games with Barcelona over the fitness of winger Damien Duff.

Chelsea face Spain's Primera Liga leaders in the Nou Camp tonight without key personnel such as Arjen Robben and Wayne Bridge and fitness doubts over William Gallas and Irish international Duff.

But in typically mischevious style, Mourinho last night attempted to plant an element of uncertainty in Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard's mind by revealing his hand and naming his team early. Duff, he said, would not be fit for the crucial match after failing to recover from a knee injury he suffered in Sunday's 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Newcastle.

But Duff trained yesterday and, according to sources close to the player, he has not given up hope of making a surprise appearance tonight.

Even if he doesn't start tonight Duff is expecting to play some part against Barcelona.

Mourinho's surprise move came after Chelsea trained in private over the last three days. Much to Rijkaard's amusement he even attempted to name Barcelona's line-up.

Rijkaard said: "We will see if he is right. He has the right to express himself and say what he is thinking. Before the match you can say a lot of things. It is something you do not see often, somebody telling you how he is going to play.