Chelsea are resigned to being unable to field their missing Nigerian defender Celestine Babayaro for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Gillingham.

The Premiership club have not heard from their defender for more six weeks, since he joined up with his country for the African Nations Cup.

And they have no idea where Babayaro is or whether he will be back in time for the FA Cup showdown at Stamford Bridge.

"He could turn up tomorrow - or next month. We just don't know," said manager Gianluca Vialli.

He was last seen playing in the African Nations Cup final against Cameroon in Lagos last week - a match Nigeria lost in a controversial penalty shoot-out.

Babayaro and two other members of the Super Eagles team - Kanu of Arsenal and AC Milan defender Taribo West - have made no contact with their clubs since losing the final.

Kanu come home

Arsenal are not as concerned about the location of Kanu, because it is more than a week before their next Premiership game.

But Chelsea have virtually abandoned hope of being able to select Babayaro for Sunday's visit of Gillingham.

The Blues' assistant-manager Gwyn Williams has visited the 21-year-old's London home - which was empty - and tried calling him on his mobile phone.

"We've tried every official channel to try to reach Baba - but without success," Williams said.

"We don't know what else we can possibly do and what happens when the player does come back will be dealt with internally."

In Sunday's other FA Cup quarter-finals, Everton take on Aston Villa while Newcastle face First Division side Tranmere Rovers.