Zhirkov to Make Chelsea Debut

Former CSKA wing Yuri Zhirkov played in the preseason for Chelsea FC, but having been hampered with a knee injury, the Russian international has yet to make his competitive debut for the English titans.

That is all set to change today when Chelsea hosts Queen’s Park Rangers in the English League (Carling) Cup.

At the point in the tournament where a big English clubs usually starting second choice or reserve sides, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti will use the fixture as a chance to get Zhirkov time. Assistant manager Ray Wilkins confirmed Zhirkov will start.

Ancellotti will also start attacker Joe Cole, who (like Zhirkov) has yet to figure for the Blues.

Queen’s Park Rangers is a second tier team in the English league system.

The match starts at 2:45 p.m. Eastern time.