Ranieri warns Blues must get back to winning ways

Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri has challenged his players to use a crucial Premiership clash with Southampton as a springboard for next week's Champions League semi-final second leg against Monaco.

Claudio Ranieri has challenged his Chelsea players to use Saturday's crucial Premiership clash with Southampton as a springboard for next week's Champions League semi-final second leg against Monaco.

Ranieri's side have failed to win in five matches since a memorable win over Arsenal at Highbury booked their place in the last four of Europe's elite competition.

But Manchester United's problems mean Chelsea are still narrowly ahead in the race for second place and an automatic slot in next season's Champions League.

With a trip to Old Trafford next week also looming, Ranieri believes victory at home to Southampton is indispensable.

"It's very important to win for our race with Manchester United for second place," Ranieri said. "Winning would also give the team a lot more confidence for the Champions League tie as well.

"But it's very important that we finish second. That would mean we had achieved a lot of consistency and only a wonderful Arsenal side had finished ahead of us.

"If we arrive in second place, the Champions League is automatic and that is also important."

Chelsea have suffered the significant blow of losing Ireland winger Damien Duff to his second dislocated shoulder of the season.

But keeper Carlo Cudicini is poised to return to the side after missing almost six weeks with a broken bone in his hand.

Celestine Babayaro and Emmanuel Petit are still sidelined, but Glen Johnson is back in contention after recovering from an ankle injury, while Juan Sebastian Veron and Scott Parker both face fitness tests.

Southampton manager Paul Sturrock will resist making sweeping changes as his side bid for a third win in their last four away Premiership games.

Sturrock has pledged to give fringe members of his first team squad chance to prove themselves between now and the end of the season but he will not throw them into the firing line at Stamford Bridge.

"There are certain players who need the opportunity so that I can see if they are going to be regulars for next season," he said.

"They will get their chance but I will not be experimenting at Chelsea because that is the wrong place and time to do it.'"

Former Chelsea left-back Graeme Le Saux (hamstring) is out for the rest of the season while midfielder Rory Delap (knee) and Latvian striker Marian Pahars (groin) face being sidelined for the final four matches.