Parker suffers broken foot

Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker has broken his foot.

Parker picked up the injury in the weekend win over Norwich City after coming on as a late substitute at Stamford Bridge.

Tests have shown that Parker has suffered a broken metatarsal bone in his foot - an injury similar to the one suffered by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard earlier this season.

Parker is likely to be out of action for between two to three months - meaning he is likely to miss Chelsea's UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona. "Scott Parker has suffered an injury that will keep him out of action into the new year," read a club statement.

"The midfielder was examined straight after Saturday's win over Norwich in which he came on as a substitute after 76 minutes. An x-ray showed he had suffered a broken metatarsal bone in his foot.

"The damage was sustained when Parker advanced into the Norwich penalty area towards the end of the game. A likely date for his return is not yet known."

The news is a blow for Parker, as he tried to fight his way into Jose Mourinho's first team plans after being forced to play a substitute role for most of the first half of the campaign.

The injury will also end any possibility that Parker may leave Stamford Bridge when the transfer window reopens after he was recently linked with moves to Lazio and Celtic.