Kalou and Benayoun were expected to be out for up to a month after suffering thigh and calf injuries respectively in the 4-3 Carling Cup defeat by Newcastle.

Paulo Ferreira drops to the bench to make way for captain John Terry, who returned in midweek after missing the 4-0 win over Blackpool five days ago with a rib injury, while Nicolas Anelka is set to replace Kalou in the only other change from last week.

Provisional squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Essien, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Ferriera, Borini, Bruma, Zhirkov, Sturridge, Turnbull, Van Aanholt, McEachran.