Laudrup looks set to play at least some part in Chelsea's Cup Winners' Cup match against FC Copenhagen, even though he is expected to sign for the Danish club within the next couple of weeks.

Gianfranco Zola: Supports his team-mate

Doubts will probably be raised about the wisdom of his selection if Chelsea fail to turn around the second round tie after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge.

However, manager Gianluca Vialli appears convinced of Laudrup's professionalism and settled state of mind despite the pressure and turmoil he has been under over the past two months.

The former international, who looks likely to be available for the Blues for at least another week as transfer talks between Chelsea and FC Copenhagen will not resume until Monday at the earliest, said: "I'm here to win the match for Chelsea.

"I have a contract with Chelsea, they pay my wages, I am 100% professional and I'm ready to do my best.

"I'm not feeling any pressure or stress, I'm raring to play and I have the experience to cope. If I play a bad match then I wouldn't say it was because of my situation."

Inside information

The striker has been demonstrating his allegiance to the Chelsea cause by giving his team-mates inside information about his future club and Zola sees no potential problems with his selection.

"We don't have any doubts about his faith in Chelsea so we've got no problem," Zola said.

"We're pleased that he's still here as he's a good player and can be very helpful to the team."

Reports have indicated recently that the 32-year-old Italian striker could be the next overseas player to leave the club after he was quoted as saying that he would like to return to his home of Sardinia to play for Cagliari at some stage.

But Zola made it clear that he wants to see out the rest of his recently renegotiated contract, which keeps him at the club until 2002.

He said: "There has been a misunderstanding. All I said was that I can understand that Brian wants to go home as I understand what it means to stay away for a long time.

"But I wasn't talking about myself, I'm happy at Chelsea and I want to stay."

Vialli confident

Player-boss Vialli is well aware of the difficulties faced by British clubs in Europe, given the arduous domestic programme.

Vialli: 'We can win'

But he remains convinced that his side will not follow in the wake of Aston Villa, Blackburn, Leeds, Celtic, Hearts and Newcastle in being knocked out.

"We've got an advantage in that most of the Chelsea players have enough European experience for us to be successful," Vialli said, whose only injury victim is midfielder Jody Morris.

"We've got to score so we have to play an offensive game but on the other hand, we don't want them to counter-attack too often so we have to be patient."

Within the next seven days, Chelsea not only play FC Copenhagen but also visit West Ham on Sunday and travel to Arsenal in the Worthington Cup fourth round next Wednesday.