Albert Ferrer is ready to place team loyalty above personal ambition and rule himself out of Saturday's FA Cup Final against Aston Villa.

The Chelsea defender, who has played in every round of the competition this season, is resigned to not recovering from an ankle injury in time to make the starting lineup at Wembley.

It is a bitter blow for the 29-year-old Spaniard, who also fears the injury could cost him his place in the national squad for next month's European Championships.

While Ferrer grapples with his disappointment, the date with Villa could well prove to be the prelude to the retirement of another Chelsea favourite - Gianfranco Zola.

Ferrer has won a host of honours during his illustrious career, including five Spanish titles, the European Cup and an Olympic Gold, but the FA Cup remains his one unfulfilled ambition.

'It will be a massive disappointment for me if I can't play because when I came to England I promised myself that one day I would make the FA Cup Final,' said Ferrer.

'It is the biggest day of the season for everyone at the club and it will be extremely difficult for me to watch the team walk out on to the pitch without me.

'If I am not 100 per cent fit then there is no way I'll play because it's such an important game for the club. There are many other players who can play in my position and do it better than me if I'm unfit.

'Although I'm desperate to make the Final, I wouldn't want to play if it meant I wasn't able to perform to my best. I am a professional and I would want to do myself justice if I played.

'If I can't jump, chase other players, keep the ball and do everything I'm supposed to do, then I can't expect to play. It's disappointing but sometimes you have to accept things.'

Ferrer, who represented Spain at Euro 96 and France 98, did not train with the Chelsea squad yesterday and cut a forlorn figure as he walked tentatively around the club's training complex. He is resigned to the fact that his international career may have come to an end.

'The latest squad is announced two days after the FA Cup Final and if I can't play in that, I fear I may not make it to Euro 2000,' he said.

'I've only played once for Spain all season and there are a couple of players who have been doing well in my position, so I'm not sure I would have made it even if I was fit. I have to be realistic about my chances.'

Ferrer's Wembley place will be taken by Mario Melchiot, the former Ajax defender whose involvement this season has been limited after he injured his foot last summer prior to his move to Stamford Bridge.

As for Zola, he wants to know where he stands as he reaches the twilight of his career.

He admits: 'I love this club. It is where my heart is, there will be trauma for everyone if I have to leave. But I need to find out what my role will be with Chelsea next season.'

If he finds what Chelsea are offering him is unacceptable, it will be with a heavy heart that he will say his farewells.

There is tempting money on the table for him from Fenerbahce, who are prepared to offer a tax free £3million for a two-year contract in Turkey.

Zola shrugs his shoulders and says he has not put pen to paper, nor is he going to. In his heart of hearts he wants to stay at Chelsea. He said: 'The story that I have signed already is just not true.

'At the end of the season I have to discuss what position Chelsea will give me. After the Final we will talk about it.

'I am 34 very soon, and still feel good physically. I don't see why I should not want to be competitive and why I shouldn't carry on playing at the level I am now. There are other considerations and it is difficult.'

Even though Zola has had his least productive season with just six goals, as well as being a continued victim of boss Gianluca Vialli's rotation system, he confesses that his four years at Chelsea have been the happiest of his career.

'I have enjoyed it so much,' he said. 'The club I play for, the fans who have given me their hearts. I can't recall any other period which has made me so happy and I have good memories.'