Just watched the press conference with Ray Wilkins, and the standout points were:

• Drogba will be playing on saturday

• Cole and Zhirkov will be starting tomorrow

• Sturridge is injured

• The only players not in the squad tomorrow are Anelka, Carvalho and Bosingwa (and Drogba obviously)

Also, when he was asked about the possibility of Borini, Bruma etc playing tomorrow, he said that we have a big squad, and as we progress in the league cup, they will get their chance.

So doesn't look like the youngsters will be playing tomorrow, but hopefull will later on in the season.

Just watched the press conference with Ray Wilkins, and the standout points were:

• Drogba will be playing on saturday

• Cole and Zhirkov will be starting tomorrow

• Sturridge is injured

• The only players not in the squad tomorrow are Anelka, Carvalho and Bosingwa (and Drogba obviously)

Also, when he was asked about the possibility of Borini, Bruma etc playing tomorrow, he said that we have a big squad, and as we progress in the league cup, they will get their chance.

So doesn't look like the youngsters will be playing tomorrow, but hopefull will later on in the season.

Happy about Yury and Joey finally being back and obviously that Drogba is fit. Too bad Sturridge is out this is exactly the type of game he needs to show what he's capable of.

Surprised that Anelka is not available. With Sturridge and DD both out that only leaves us with Kalou and possibly Borini as available strikers. A bit thin, if you ask me.

Edited September 22, 200916 yr by abramovich

Great news about Zhirkov and Joe Cole. Even greater news about Drogba.

Unfortunate that Sturridge is injured though.

Surprised that Anelka is not available. With Sturridge and DD both out that only leaves us with Kalou and possibly Borini as available strikers. A bit thin, if you ask me.

Yeah, that is a little worrying. With both DD and Anelka out, and two possibly very rusty outside players like Zhirky and Joe, I get the feeling it might be a long evening.

Hope I am wrong, though

That's great news about Drogba.

It'll be interesting to see how Zhirkov and Joey Cole get on. I'm a bit panicked that we'll be starting with Borini and Kalou though. :\

Also looks like Ivanovic is a cert for the starting Xi as well. I guess we'll just have to find out where. I still don't know if we'll be starting Ashley Cole or not. I guess Zhirkov could be put in at left back?

I think listening to what Wilkins was saying, Zhirkov will be playing in midfield, and will be backup for cole.

From what was said, I'm thinking lineup will be something on the lines of:

----------------Cech----------------

Belletti---Ivanovic---Terry---Cole

------Essien---Mikel---Zhirkov----

------------Cole---Lampard-------

----------------Kalou--------------

Great news on Drogba, Zhirkov and Joey Cole..

How serious is the Sturridge's injury?

Great news on Drogba, Zhirkov and Joey Cole..

How serious is the Sturridge's injury?

I think he said he'd pulled his hamstring, not sure how seriously though

Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov are set to make their first appearances of the season against QPR in the Carling Cup.

Assistant manager Ray Wilkins has confirmed they will be in the starting line-up against their west London neighbours.

A host of academy and fringe players will also be in the squad as Chelsea look to rest Nicolas Anelka and Ricardo Carvalho among others.

Wilkins said: "We haven't finalised the side yet but Joe Cole and Zhirkov will both start, which is good news.

"They'll be very important players for us as the season progresses.

"It's nice to see them come back in. When you can't use someone of Joe's ability, any side would miss him. He has that bit of fantasy that can open up defences, so we have missed him.

"But we've coped without him and now we'll have something different now he's come back.

"Zhirkov is a very fluid footballer. He's been out for quite a period but, if he demonstrates half of what he's shown in training, then we've got a very pleasant player on our books."

Alright, for some bizzarre reason, I thought we were playing in Europe again this week. Against QPR, Im disappointed Studge cant get out there, but hopefully Borini can get a few minutes

• The only players not in the squad tomorrow are Anelka, Carvalho and Bosingwa (and Drogba obviously)

So Alex is fit again?

So Alex is fit again?

I meant the only regulars who are being given a rest and not in the squad.

Obviously the players who are injured (Alex, Sturridge, Ferreira?) won't be playing.

Apologies.

I suspect Anelka is being rested, bearing in mind he is a cert to start our next few games (would be a disaster if he wasnt fit for one of the CL matches)

I actually thought Sturridge was purposely being left out of first team stuff until the tribunal had been sorted, but it appears not and he is injured.

Its fantastic news about Joe Cole and Zirkov, a perfect match for them to return in. Hopefully Paulo isnt too far behind them.

I wouldve thought it made more sense to play some of the youngsters in the early rounds rather than later on but i guess you have to trust the management!

Hutchinson to play left back?

I think listening to what Wilkins was saying, Zhirkov will be playing in midfield, and will be backup for cole.

From what was said, I'm thinking lineup will be something on the lines of:

----------------Cech----------------

Belletti---Ivanovic---Terry---Cole

------Essien---Mikel---Zhirkov----

------------Cole---Lampard-------

----------------Kalou--------------

Sounds like a strong side.

Why Cech though? I would say give Turnbull a go?

I think we'll see

....................Hilario

Belletti.......Ivan......terry....hutch

...................Essien

.........Lampard........Zhirkov

...............J Cole

............Borini...Kalou

Turnbull

Bossie

Mikel

Ballack

Bruma

Carvalho

Malouda

Think it'll be tight, and went with 1-0

Turnbull looks sh*t in the reserves, I would rather see that other young keeper we have in there if Hilario wasn't selected.

great news about joey and yuri, really hope sam hutchinson and borini get a start in this one

Hope Matić gets a game as well. Carlo included Matić in the composition of 18 football players for tonight.

Hope Matić gets a game as well. Carlo included Matić in the composition of 18 football players for tonight.

who is in the list of 18?

and where did you get the information from?

cheers

who is in the list of 18?

and where did you get the information from?

cheers

I read that in serbian newspapers. Matić said that Anceloti told him that he will be in the list of 18 players.

link

Actually am Very happy overall. A bit worried about Sturridge injury. I am very excited how kalou will handle the whole attack.