The Italian returns home to see his father at every opportunity but, while he accepts it is sometimes emotionally difficult, he has a first-class support system - both at the club and back home.

"My father is not well," said Ancelotti. "He's an old man. When possible I have to go to Italy.

"Whenever possible, I fly back to Italy to see him. He has good support from my sister, so we don't have a problem for this reason.

"It's not difficult to keep my focus. I've spent a lot of time here and, when I'm not here, I have good support from my assistant.

"Everyone knows my situation. I don't have a problem managing the team for this reason. It's difficult, emotionally, when it's your father... but this is life. I have to do my best to stay close to him, but this is the life.

"If it's possible I will go back on Monday. But I will not miss the Carling Cup game against Newcastle next week. The flights are very regular from Gatwick to Bologna."

Meanwhile, Ancelotti believes Chelsea are top of the Barclays Premier League on merit even if they have yet to face any of their title rivals so far this season.

The Blues have scored 17 goals in the league this term and conceded just once in victories over West Brom, Wigan, Stoke and West Ham.

They face newly-promoted Blackpool at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, with fans expecting more of the same.

Chelsea's first real test will come away at Manchester City at the end of this month but Ancelotti maintains his team are ready for anyone.

"It's an important moment now," he said. "We have a lot of games and we don't have time to train properly, but we are ready to play against a strong team.

"We have more knowledge and, for that reason, we are doing well. There's no fear, now, which is good. The players are all involved in the team and there's a good atmosphere. If we can maintain this atmosphere, I think we can have success this year.

"To think about the game against City is too far away. Blackpool are a good team and have won two away games, at Newcastle and Wigan, and are showing good skills in the Premier League.

"We have to pay attention. They are no easy games. Our moment is nice. It's good now, but we want it to continue.

"We have fantastic ability up front. We have to put a kind of football on the pitch to showcase this quality. Balance is important in football."

Chelsea will be without England midfielder Frank Lampard tomorrow as he is yet to fully recover from his hernia surgery.

Ancelotti also wants to rest some of his first-team players with midfielder Ramires, right-back Paulo Ferreira and striker Salomon Kalou likely to start.