Drogba, Ballack passed fit

Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack were both passed fit to play at Old Trafford today as champions Chelsea looked to haul back Manchester United’s three-point lead at the Premiership summit.

The pair picked up knee and ankle injuries respectively in the midweek Champions League defeat to Werder Bremen but were part of Jose Mourinho’s starting line-up for the key title showdown with the Red Devils.

United were unchanged from their own midweek setback. Wayne Rooney, fresh from signing his new long-term contract extension, was part of a team eager for the win which would fuel belief a three-year championship drought will end next spring.