The England midfielder missed Monday night's 4-0 Barclays Premier League win at Bolton with a calf injury and manager Carlo Ancelotti was today mulling over whether to risk him either as a starter or a substitute.

Gael Kakuta and Patrick van Aanholt both left Stamford Bridge on loan this week, while Alex (knee), Yury Zhirkov (calf) and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Provisional squad: Cech, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Bruma, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Kalou, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Sturridge, Drogba, Malouda, Turnbull, McEachran.