Sakho out for one week says Slaven Bilic

Slaven Bilic has been giving his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup Sixth Round replay with Manchester United under the Boleyn Ground lights. When asked about the Sakho situation he confirmed he reported an injury after training on Friday and had a scan yesterday which he claims showed a little bit of a problem which will keep him out for a week.

Slav told the press: “It’s the final FA Cup tie at the Boleyn Ground, it’s Manchester United and it’s the quarter-finals. It can’t be bigger. We are fully motivated and it is a massive game of course. It is massive for us and it is massive for them. They are Manchester United and they have not been as consistent this season, but they are very capable of beating any team.”

“Andy Carroll, when he is fit and in form is a very special kind of player. He is different, and it is hard for defenders to cope.He doesn’t have to score, but his presence on the pitch gives us another dimension. He had a great game on Saturday”

“The situation with Diafra is very simple. He reported an injury after training on Friday. He was not in the squad. Yesterday he had a scan, which showed a little bit of a problem and he will be out for one week.”

“For Manchester United, it’s the stature of the club that they’re not happy with losing games, with being fifth in the table. It’s hard to be a manager. It’s the greatest job in the world, but at those massive clubs you’re expected to win every game. The fans will be important of course. They were great on Saturday – they are one of the reasons why we are unbeaten at home for this time”