Chelsea v Liverpool, 7.45pm

Michael Ballack returns to the Chelsea squad for the first time since April after recovering from two operations on his ankle.

Ballack's return at Stamford Bridge is tempered with the loss of captain John Terry with fractured bones in his foot following the defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Ricardo Carvalho is fit, but Avram Grant is still without knee injury victim Didier Drogba.

Xabi Alonso, the Liverpool midfielder, could return following a ten-match absence with a metatarsal injury. Alonso has made a full recovery after being sidelined since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in October.

Rafael Benitez may be tempted to shuffle his pack following the defeat by Manchester United at the weekend. Steve Finnan is doubtful because of a calf problem while Daniel Agger remains sidelined with a foot injury.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Belletti, Ferreira, A Cole, Carvalho, Alex, Ben-Haim, J Cole, Essien, Obi, Lampard, Kalou, Ballack, Shevchenko, Pizarro, Wright-Phillips, Sidwell, Bridge.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Kewell, Gerrard, Mascherano, Benayoun, Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Aurelio, Babel, Crouch, Finnan, Hobbs, Itandje, Leiva, Voronin, Sissoko.

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