Grant preparing for life without sharpshooter Drogba

AVRAM GRANT admits that all available options will be discussed as he prepares to replace the world’s most potent striker in January.

The Chelsea coach, preparing his side for tonight’s Carling Cup clash with Leicester at Stamford Bridge, knows he will have to overcome the loss of Ivorian forward Didier Drogba when he leaves for the African Nations Cup – either with a permanent or loan signing.

Midfielders Michael Essien and Mikel John Obi along with striker Salomon Kalou will also be heading off to Ghana for the competition in the new year but it is Drogba’s presence that threatens to hit Chelsea the hardest.

Grant declared: “Didier is an important player for us. I don’t think you’ve seen another striker better than him in the rest of the world today.

“But what is important now is the present for the next two months and then we will think about the African Nations Cup.

“We think about the situation all the time but we cannot do many things about this. He needs to go but we are thinking about all the options. What is important now is that he will continue to play well and develop our game.”

But when asked if he had funds to compensate for players lost to the African Nations Cup in January, Grant replied: “We have a vision for the future and we are talking about everything all the time.

“I am very happy with the squad that we have but you always look for a player who can improve the squad. It’s not about the money it is about the quality of the players.”

Grant will rotate his squad for tonight’s clash with League One side Leicester and that could mean a recall for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Florent Malouda.

Both could feature against Leicester with the Chelsea manager expected to shift the emphasis on youth.

Grant declared: “We have a big squad and we haven’t played any game with the same 11 and it will continue like that.

“Our target is to use young players, not only in the Carling Cup, but in the league. But they need to be good and they need to be talented.

“I think the rotation is important because you can keep the players fresh. So the team will be rotated like it was last Saturday.”

However Grant insisted he won’t be taking their lower league opposition lightly.

He added: “ They won in the last round against Aston Villa so it will be a difficult game.”

Meanwhile the Foxes will give late fitness tests to James Wesolowski and Iain Hume after both suffered knocks during Saturday’s win over Barnsley.

Captain Stephen Clemence (hamstring) remains doubtful and on-loan striker Collins John is cup-tied.