Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is back from a calf injury for the FA Cup clash against Watford at Stamford Bridge.
Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel miss out as they are on African Nations Cup duty with their respective countries.
Essien (hamstring) is injured anyway, while Jose Bosingwa (knee) is also on the sidelines but Florent Malouda returns from suspension.
Provisional squad: Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Ivanovic, Belletti, Alex, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, J Cole, Zhirkov, Kakuta, Bruma, Borini, Sturridge, Matic, Malouda, Deco.