Source: Telegraph
Chelsea likely to be without Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba for Fulham clash
Anelka is currently sidelined with a calf injury and the club have announced he will be unavailable for their upcoming games against Birmingham, away on Saturday, and the Fulham clash.[LNB]And while Drogba and Kalou should be fit and ready to face Alex McLeish's Birmingham on Boxing Day, it is likely to be their last match for Chelsea before departing for Angola and the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.[LNB] Related ArticlesAfrican Cup bluesAncelotti hails Terry'Chelsea to spend £55m in January'John Terry cautious of England's World cup hopesTerry backed by FA over Chelsea tour claimsSport on televisionIt means coach Carlo Ancelotti will be putting his faith in youth entering the New Year - the earliest Anelka is expected to return will be the FA Cup tie against Watford on Jan 3.[LNB]Already missing is Michael Essien, while Deco has become the latest to join the list of casualties. Daniel Sturridge will be given a first Chelsea Premier League start alongside Drogba against Birmingham.[LNB]Ancelotti said: "Anelka is a small muscle problem but he is not ready to play these games, against Fulham also. If Didier Drogba is not here we can put other players in, Sturridge has a good opportunity to show his quality,.[LNB]"He played against West Ham very well in the second half and against Birmingham can play from the beginning.[LNB]"We have some problems because we have to play without Anelka, Essien and Deco in these games but we have a possibility if we do 100 per cent, to win.[LNB]"It's very important. We are in a very good position, we are four points top, it's not our best moment because we didn't play well the last games but for this we have to stay concentrated and focused to try to win. [LNB]"We play against very strong teams, Birmingham arrived from five consecutive victories and one draw. They are difficult to play, they are very strong and work hard for 90 minutes with a lot of pressure. It is a difficult game for us."[LNB]
