GUUS HIDDINK was flying into London today to take temporary charge of Chelsea and to meet with players at Stamford Bridge as they return from international duty.

Hiddink will continue to coach the Russian national team while at Chelsea until the end of the season and the club will not officially unveil him as boss for fear of causing upset in Russia.

The appointment, con-firmed yesterday, has been regarded as a sleight to the prestige of coaching in Russia and former players have denounced Hiddink's decision to accept the Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's plea to help out at the club.

The former Russia coach Anatoli Byshovets said Hiddink had been "allowed to neglect our national team by leaving it in the hands of his assistants."

Hiddink will talk to Luiz Felipe Scolari, sacked on Monday after just seven months as manager, about the state of the Chelsea squad but he will not be fazed by the strong personalities in the dressing room.

As yet Hiddink has not decided on his back-room staff appointments but it has been suggested that he will appoint Johann Neeskens, who has assis-ted him in the past with the Dutch and Australian national sides.

Caretaker-boss Ray Wilkins will take charge for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie away to Watford.