Hughes words taken for Grant-ed

Richard Hughes has claimed that comments he made about Chelsea boss Avram Grant are a "misrepresentation" of what he had actually said.

Grant's future at Stamford Bridge had once again came under spotlight, with Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard tipped, once more, to replace him at the end of the season.

The speculation was sparked by supposed comments from Portsmouth midfielder Hughes who is said to be a close friend of the Israeli from their time together at Portsmouth when Grant was director of football.

Hughes was quoted as saying that Grant would be happy to move aside and let Rijkaard take over even though he has guided Chelsea to the final of the Champions League and to the brink of winning the Barclays Premier League.

But in a statement on Portsmouth's official club website the 28-year-old said he has not been in contact with Grant since he left Fratton Park.

"Today's stories concerning the future of Avram Grant in certain papers is totally misleading," Hughes told the club's wesbite.

"I have not spoken to Avram since he left to join Chelsea and nor have I ever said I have. I have certainly never discussed his future at Chelsea.

"The words reported were a misrepresentation of what I have said and have cause me a great deal of distress, particularly as Avram is someone I have huge respect for.

"I will speak to Avram to put forward my side of the story and to assure him that the words attributed to me were totally misleading."

Carvalho a worry for Chelsea

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho faces a race to be fit in time for their crucial game against Bolton on Sunday.

Carvalho limped out of their victory over Newcastle on Monday afternoon after twice falling heavily on his back.

The Portuguese international underwent intensive treatment on the injury yesterday and is desperate to be fit in time to face Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea know that a result which betters Manchester United's on the final day of the season will earn them the title.

Carvalho has become a vital member of the side and has not been on the losing side in the last 42 league games he had played in.

It is a run that stretches back to Chelsea's away defeat at Tottenham in November 2006.

Striker Salomon Kalou is also struggling with an ankle injury but he should be fit in time.

But the future of coach Avram Grant has once again came under spotlight, with Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard tipped, once more, to replace him at the end of the season.

This time the speculation over Grant's future was sparked by comments from the Israeli's close friend - Portsmouth player Richard Hughes.

Hughes claimed that Grant would be happy to move aside and let Rijkaard takeover even though he has guided Chelsea to the final of the Champions League and to the brink of winning the domestic league crown.

Hughes insisted: "This will take place with Avram's blessing. He is a modest guy who does not particularly like being in the limelight.

"He'd be happy to revert to the role where he acts as a link between the coaching staff and the board.

"He is not in it for personal glory and could go about his business outside of the limelight."

Hughes became close friends with Grant while he was director of football at Pompey and believes the Israeli will move upstairs even if he completes an historic double. Rijkaard is set to quit the Nou Camp at the end of this campaign having lost the title to Real Madrid. But despite the speculation, Chelsea continue to insist that Grant will remain in charge of the side next season.

Meanwhile, England left-back Ashley Cole, rested for their win over Newcastle on Monday, believes Bolton will not make it easy for them.

"Bolton will be coming to the Bridge wanting to win whether they are safe or not, we'll be so focused and determined to beat them," said Cole.

"We have a lot of big players with big hearts and everyone wants to win. We have to win because it would be a killer if Manchester United got a draw and we didn't get a result."