Blues lose key defender and other red-hot gossip

Chelsea’s title challenge has been dented by the news that defender Branislav Ivanovic has been ruled out for a month with a knee injury. The Serbian, who has been extremely impressive this season deputising for the Blues first choice right back Jose Bosingwa, has a torn knee ligament and will be out for four weeks. Elsewhere, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will ship Albert Riera off to Spartak Moscow, following the wingers outburst about the Reds being a "sinking ship"; Birmingham have shelved plans to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham because the striker's recent form has been too good; and 28-year-old Joe Cole will be the first victim of a "purge of older players" at Chelsea now that their Champions League dream has ended for another season.