Bridge faces fresh Chelsea challenge

Chelsea and England defender Wayne Bridge will make his long-awaited return from injury on Wednesday.

Assistant manager Steve Clarke says the left back, who suffered a badly broken ankle in February, will play a part in Chelsea's League Cup third-round tie against Charlton Athletic at Stamford Bridge.

But Clarke made it clear that ending his eight-month absence would not guarantee Bridge a future starting place for the Cup holders and Premier League champions, who have been impressed by new Spanish left back Asier Del Horno.

"To get him back on the pitch will be great for Wayne," Clarke told reporters on Tuesday. "He's worked so hard since his injury.

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"When you have a long-term injury, you have to be brave, you have to be focused and you have to be dedicated to come back. His attitude has been great."

Bridge's double fracture, suffered in an FA Cup tie with Newcastle United, meant the end of his season with Chelsea and England.

SECOND BATTLE

Now he faces a second battle after manager Jose Mourinho's eight million pounds ($14.13 million) swoop in June for Del Horno, who has already made his mark in a side that is nine points clear at the top of the league.

"We're pleased with Del Horno, he's come in and done well, he's settled very quickly into English football," said Clarke, who saw Bridge's return as giving Chelsea "more cover".

Clarke added: "They're rivals for the same position but that's the same across the board. John Terry, Robert Huth, William Gallas and Ricardo Carvalho all compete to be first-choice centre halves.

"It's the same at left back. Asier Del Horno and Wayne Bridge will compete for that position."

With the World Cup finals looming, Bridge will also be looking to challenge Ashley Cole for the starting place on the left of England's defence.

He has already missed one opportunity. A recent injury to Cole forced England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to play central defender Jamie Carragher on the left for their final two qualifiers against Austria and Poland.

Clarke said: "For Wayne, the most important thing now is to get back into the Chelsea side, to be involved on a regular basis in the team, in the squad.