Rees should returnto training in a minimum of six weeks but the club appear to have ruled out any rapid returntothe England ranks, pointing out that his "primary goal is toreturnto play for London Wasps".
His staff even anticipates that thereturn of conscription may be required to fill theranks if the all-volunteer force simply cannot withstand such buffeting.
Thereturn of Alex at centre-half seemed to do the trick in restoring confidence tothe Chelsea ranks, while Paulo Ferreira's switch to right-back and Salomon Kalou's recall certainly helped the balance.