Defending trio back for Chelsea
Chelsea recalled defenders William Gallas, Ricardo Carvalho and Asier del Horno for their Barclays Premiership clash with Blackbun Rovers at Stamford Bridge.
All three were rested for the Carling Cup third round tie against Charlton which Chelsea lost 5-4 on penalties on Wednesday night.
England midfielder Frank Lampard also returned after starting the game against Charlton on the substitutes’ bench.
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes gave Craig Bellamy his first start since recovering from injury but Ryan Nelsen was sidelined with a knee problem.
Zurab Khizanishvili shrugged off the knock he received during Blackburn’s Carling Cup win over Leeds to take his place in the starting line-up.
Chelsea: Cech, Gallas, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Del Horno, Makelele, Wright-Phillips, Lampard, Essien, Joe Cole, Drogba. Subs: Crespo, Robben, Paulo Ferreira, Gudjohnsen, Cudicini.
Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Todd, Gray, Emerton, Savage, Tugay, Pedersen, Bellamy, Kuqi. Subs: Dickov, Enckelman, Reid, Mokoena, Bentley.
Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire)
