Brazil midfielder Ramires could make his debut for Chelsea against
Stoke.
The £17million new signing from Benfica is in the squad and is likely to
start on the bench with Chelsea having hit six goals in each of their
two Barclays Premier League matches so far this season.
Branislav Ivanovic is a doubt with a back problem and Jeffrey Bruma is
recovering from a hernia operation while Gael Kakuta has a back injury.
Portuguese full-back Jose Bosingwa has resumed training and could return
to action in one to two weeks.
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Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones could return to action after missing last
weekend's defeat to Tottenham with an ankle injury.
Jones, who sustained the problem on the opening day of the season at
Wolves, has what Potters boss Tony Pulis describes as an "outside
chance" of featuring at Stamford Bridge.
Pulis also hopes Liam Lawrence will have recovered from his groin
injury, while Mamady Sidibe is a long-term absentee having ruptured his
Achilles tendon.
Pulis admits his side will be entering the lion's den.
Despite going down 3-1 against Manchester United in the Community
Shield, the Blues have made a formidable start to the defence of their
Barclays Premier League title, defeating West Brom 6-0 on the opening
day of the season before registering the same scoreline at Wigan last
week.
Stoke - who in losing 2-1 to Wolves and Tottenham have also posted
identical results in their two league games so far - travel to Stamford
Bridge tomorrow having been beaten there 7-0 towards the end of the
2009-10 campaign, and Pulis knows the Potters will have plenty to do if
they are to avoid another mauling.
"They are a top side and they deserve to be a top side with the players
they have got," Pulis said.
"We know how difficult it is going to be and they have started like a
house on fire, so we are going into the lion's den.
"On the back of getting beaten by Manchester United at Wembley, that
might have been the kick up the backside they needed because they have
really flown out of the blocks."
Source: DSG