Robben injury a 'disaster'

Chelsea suffered a massive blow today when an X-ray confirmed that Arjen Robben has broken two bones in his foot.

The Dutch winger sustained the injuries last Wednesday when he was hurt in a tackle at Blackburn.

Chelsea hope he could be playing again in a month but Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were out of action for two months earlier this season with metatarsal injuries.

England captain David Beckham was sidelined for a similar period before the 2002 World Cup and Gary Neville missed the whole competition after they both broke a metatarsal bone.

Chelsea physio Mike Banks is optimistic that Robben's injury is not that serious.

He explained: "One break is a chip on the side of his foot, the other is a small break on the third metatarsal.

"But this is not the traditional metatarsal that has become so famous since the last World Cup and which has kept Scott Parker out for two months.

"The fractures are tiny and he could be playing next month."

The 21 year old said: "This is a disaster. Everything was going so well.

"It is a massive blow and comes just at the moment when I was in top shape."

Dutch coach Marco Van Basten warned Robben that he must learn to tackle differently to avoid the foot injuries that have wrecked his season.