Nicolas Anelka's chances of making Chelsea's Champions League match against Juventus in Turin on Tuesday remain "touch and go" according to manager Guus Hiddink.

Anelka failed to make even the substitutes' bench for the 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Coventry at the Ricoh Arena here Saturday and, although Hiddink is refusing to completely rule out the Frenchman for midweek, his optimism remains guarded.

"It is doubtful Anelka will be fit for Tuesday," the Dutchman admitted. "But it is still a very close thing. He is working, but he has been out now for many days. We will see what his reaction is to treatment and training."

The possible loss of Anelka with a foot injury is not the headache it might have been though, given the continuing form of the revitalised Didier Drogba.

Ivory Coast striker Drogba, whose goal in the first leg against Juventus at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago gave Chelsea a slender lead to defend in their quest for a Champions League quarter-final place, was on the mark again as Hiddink's full-strength side coasted through to the last four of the FA Cup.

Championship mid-table team Coventry, who beat Premier League Blackburn in the fifth round, potentially represented a threat to Hiddink's bid to bring a trophy to Chelsea this term.

But they were easily kept at arm's length after Drogba's 15th minute opener and Chelsea defender Alex put the tie beyond doubt with his 72nd minute breakaway strike.

Hiddink revealed the secret behind Drogba's apparent new-found enthusiasm and form since the departure of former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"We are doing a specific training programme with him and it is paying off," Russia manager Hiddink explained. "He likes it, we don't force him to do it.

"From the first time I saw him play against Watford he has been working hard, even in training. I have no complaints about his attitude."

Hiddink's man-management skills played a major part in his decision to pick Ashley Cole, despite the England full-back's well-publicised arrest for drunk and disorderly behaviour outside a London bar earlier in the week.

"I discussed the issue with him and I know everything," Hiddink said. "It is important there is no friction within the team. That for me was the key, there was no reason to leave him out.

Michael Essien is also hoping to play some part in the Turin trip after ending his six-month layoff with a knee ligament injury.

The Ghana midfielder came on as a second-half substitute - his appearance since August 31 — although Hiddink warned the Ghanaian would need to be eased back, adding: "He is fit again, but that is different to being game fit.

"If you are playing in a tough game then you need to have some matches beforehand. We will see how his reaction is, but we need to think whether he is ready for Turin."

Meanwhile Coventry boss was unhappy with referee Steve Bennett's "smug" handling of the match.

"I was disappointed with the referee's attitude towards us. It was too smug. My senior players tell me he was very, very familiar with the Chelsea boys.

"Chelsea are a great team who deserve respect and he let us know that in no uncertain terms.

"I was not happy with their second goal. They had two players off the field receiving treatment, the referee allows them straight back on and one of them scores."

But he added: "I'm not using all that as an excuse. My players could not have given any more, but they came up against a team who showed their class."