Hilario 'could get striker role'

Hilario could find himself in an unfamiliar role

FA Cup final
Date: Saturday, 19 May
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Venue: Wembley
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
Watch (in UK): 1240 BST, BBC ONE. Highlights 2250 BST, BBC ONE
Listen: BBC Radio Five Live
Updates: BBC Sport website and mobile

Jose Mourinho claims Chelsea's injuries are so bad he will consider playing keeper Hilario as a substitute striker in the FA Cup final.

Mourinho says Chelsea could have just 15 senior players fit for the clash with Manchester United at Wembley.

Ashley Cole is facing a fitness race and Mourinho told Chelsea TV: "If he is fit we'll have 15 players.

"I'll have to choose between Hilario, because he isn't bad playing forward, or bring in a kid to make the 16."

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on Mourinho's comments about Hilario

Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack, Ricardo Carvalho and Arjen Robben are undergoing treatment and almost certainly out.

Mikel John Obi is the latest casualty and is expected to miss out after limping out of Chelsea's last game of the season against Everton with a muscle injury.

Mourinho said: "We will see but I think he is out of the game."

Michael Essien and Claude Makelele were rested against Everton, with Mourinho using youngsters Sam Hutchinson, Ben Sahar and Nuno Morais off the bench.

Mourinho signed Hilario from Portuguese side Nacional in June 2006, having played for the Chelsea boss at Porto.