Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez insists there's no fitness risks with new signing Demba Ba.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he did not continue his pursuit of the Senegal striker because of doubts over his long-term fitness.

But Benitez said: "There is no risk with Ba. He was playing every game for Newcastle and if he could do that it means he is fit and available.

"We'll try to manage the situation but he can play for us. He is fine.

"We were looking for a player who can play right now because we have a game every three days and can't be waiting for someone who will take three months to settle into the Premier League.

"He scores goals, he can hold the ball up, he can pass, he is good in the air and his movement is good.

"He has everything you are looking for in a striker and at Newcastle he showed he can also play as a second striker behind Papiss Cisse.

"He can even play out wide but when we have Mata, Hazard, Oscar and Moses, why do I need to use Ba as a winger? He is a striker and we've bought him to compete with Fernando."