ANDRE Villas-Boas says the backdrop of tension between QPR and Chelsea will not prompt him to make any special comments to his players before the match aimed at defusing the contest.
But he has said he believes there should be a handshake between John Terry and Anton Ferdinand before kick-off, for the good of the game.
Feelings will be running high in tomorrow's high noon showdown at Loftus Road for an FA Cup fourth round tie. It will be first meeting between the teams since their league clash back in October at the same venue which ended in acrimony as Terry was accused of directing racists comments at Rangers defender Ferdinand.
Extra police have been drafted in for a potentially combustible encounter, with the chairmen of both clubs having got together this week to appeal for calm on the terraces.
But Chelsea's manager – who has confirmed Terry will start – is not going to base his pre-match team talk on the subplot of Terry v Ferdinand.
“I think there's extra responsibilities for everybody, not only from the players but the media as well, but will I speak about it to the players? No, not at all.
“I think the environment was outstanding last time we played at QPR, so I expect it to be the same. Loftus Road is an environment of great passion and great ambition and I just want it to be a traditional football game. There are responsibilities in every game for the players and I think they know what they have to do.
“I think it is extremely important that they do shake hands. I expect it and there should be. I think the players will stand up to their [responsibilities] and do it.
“I think this game is based on good values more than anything else and I think these two players should continue to promote those values as long as they can. Hopefully we won't see any of those [bad] situations happening.”
Villas-Boas said he had not spoken specifically to Terry about the game either, and is backing his captain to brush off the hostility he is bound to receive from the stands.
“I have no doubt he [can put this out of his mind],” said the Blues' boss. “The player has played magnificently well and he's committed to the team and that's all we need to make the decision [to play him].
“The FA Cup is one of the most prestigious trophies around and the second most important domestic trophy and the one with the biggest tradition and our will is to go as far as we can and try to win the trophy.”
Frank Lampard is back training after recovering from a calf strain, but unlikely to feature – Tuesday night's game at Swansea City being a more realistic target.
John Obi Mikel will again be missing, but both Michael Essien and Branislav Ivanovic are fit and available. Gary Cahill is expected to make his debut, even if it's from the bench.
Villas-Boas says he will select his team with half an eye on the trip to south Wales in midweek.
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