Striker Fernando Torres could return from a knee injury sooner than expected when Chelsea play Cardiff in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow, but Ashley Cole (ribs) and Andre Schurrle (leg) are out.
Torres, who was expected to be sidelined for three weeks and also served a suspension at Norwich, is back in contention, but left-back Cole, who missed England’s recent matches, is set to be replaced by Ryan Bertrand.
Forward Schurrle is not fit despite performing well with Germany, while goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to make his 300th Chelsea appearance.
Provisional squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Torres, Mata, Oscar, Mikel, De Bruyne, Hazard, Ba, Willian, Schwarzer, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Eto’o, Bertrand.