Blues welcome back Essien

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien returns for tomorrow’s Premiership clash with Portsmouth.

Essien missed Wednesday night’s 2-1 Champions League defeat by Barcelona through suspension but is available to face Pompey.

Defender William Gallas, who also missed the Barca clash, coud be back after his hamstring problem.

Provisional squad: Cech, Terry, Carvalho, Ferreira, Huth, Johnson, Diarra, Lampard, Essien, J Cole, Duff, Wright-Phillips, Makelele, Maniche, Crespo, Drogba, Robben, C Cole, Cudicini.