Drogba & Cole Could Face Clarets

Clarets fans wondering what sort of team Chelsea might put out against them in the 4th round of the Carling Cup this Wednesday night have partly got their answer from Chelsea Assistant Manager, Ray Wilkins.

Two injured International stars look set to return, Didier Drogba and Joe Cole

Drogba has only made two substitute appearances after suffering an injury in a goalless draw with CFR Cluj at the start of October and has yet to score this season.The Ivory Coast international. now 30 however was left out of Chelsea's squad for the 2-0 victory at Blackburn on Sunday fuelling speculation he might have suffered a set-back.

Joe Cole, the England midfielder has had a stop-start season suffering a number of minor injuries and is currently recovering from an hamstring problem.

Ray Wilkins, speaking about Sunday's Blackburn game had this to say to the media about the two players:

'Didier has been out for quite a period. We brought him back for a couple of little run-outs but he's still not quite feeling good enough to come back into the fold so we thought it was best to leave him behind but I'm sure that he'll be ready very shortly.

'There's no setback, he just doesn't feel that he's ready to crack on 100 percent. There's every chance he could be considered on Wednesday and Joe as well.

'He's had a little stiffness in the right hamstring but he's been out for three weeks and when you're coming back you tend to pick up a few little injuries.

'Joe hasn't really had a fantastic recuperation period. He's done a lot of hard work, trying to get himself back fit but he's put himself to the fore for us and made himself available when he wasn't quite 100 percent fit and we're delighted with that because he's shown great spirit.'

On the face of it, players of this calibre facing the Clarets could be the news we didn't want to hear but there is a suggestion they might not be fully fit so that could work in our favour.

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