Zola may start as substitute for Blues

Gianfranco Zola may have to start his 300th Chelsea game as a substitute when Blackburn Rovers visit Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Zola has fully recovered from a hamstring injury sustained at Birmingham two weeks ago and boss Claudio Ranieri must decide whether to break up the Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink-Eidur Gudjohnseo partnership to accommodate the popular veteran.

Blues skipper Marcel Desailly and reserve goalkeeper Ed de Goey are still out injured while midfielder Emmanuel Petit serves a one-match suspension.

Petit is banned for five yellow cards while fellow Frenchman Desailly still faces at least another week on the sidelines with a damaged ankle and could even be a doubt for the FA Cup quarter final at Arsenal on March 8.

Dutchman de Goey still has a sore hamstring and youngster Rhys Evans is set to continue on the bench as deputy keeper.

Celestine Babayaro is avalable again, however, after three games out with a a thigh injury.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Cudicini: Melchiot, Terry, Gallas, Le Saux, Babayaro, de Lucas, Zenden, Morris, Lampard, Zola, Hasselbaink, Gudjohnsen, Stanic, Gronkjaer, Cole, Huth, Evans (gk).