Drogba’s return to health lifts skipper

JOHN TERRY says Chelsea have reasons to be cheerful again as Didier Drogba is back to his best after a bout of malaria.

Drogba paved the way for an emphatic 4-0 victory against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Monday night with a magnificent opening goal from 30 yards.

Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Ramires also got in on the scoring act to hand the team their first win on the road since October.

Terry is determined Chelsea will not give up their crown without a fight and confident they can mount a strong challenge to Manchester United and others in the coming weeks.

The England defender highlights their attacking options – and having Drogba up and running again.

It was his 10th goal of the campaign – he scored 37 last season – and Terry said: “I think he is over the malaria now. I have never had it myself but speaking to people and the doctor here, it does knock you for six.

“He could have taken two months out but he never did.

“He has taken a bit of stick as we all have over the past few months but we have stayed together. We know that he is capable of goals like that, and many more.

“We are just encouraging him to shoot more and get the ball out of his feet. Our confidence, not just his, will get a lift and we’ll crack on.

“I think we all looked more like our old selves.”

Malouda extended Chelsea’s lead before half-time. Then Anelka weighed in against his former club with his 12th goal of the season before Ramires found the target for the first time following his arrival from Benfica in the summer.

It was Chelsea’s eighth successive victory at the Reebok Stadium and Terry now wants the team to kick on. Next up is an FA Cup fourth round tie against Everton on Saturday at Goodison Park.

“Southern softies? People may have that impression but we’re not. You can see against Bolton that we can mix it with them,” he said.

“We have some tough games coming up. It is going to be a big test, we realise that, but we’re certainly up for the fight and we won’t give up.”

* Chelsea have not made a £52million bid for Atletico Madrid pair Sergio Aguero and Diego Godin, despite claims to the contrary by the Spanish club’s majority shareholder.

Chelsea refused to comment on the claims, a spokesman saying last night: “We never comment on transfer speculation, no matter how wild it is.”