Shevchenko dropped despite Drogba injury

Jose Mourinho has axed Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko from line-up to face Newcastle at Stamford Bridge tonight.

The Ukrainian striker, who has scored just three goals in the Premiership this season, is relegated to the substitutes’ bench along with the injured Didier Drogba.

Mourinho has selected a surprise attacking trio of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Salomon Kalou and Arjen Robben instead.

Chelsea: Hilario, Geremi, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Kalou, Robben.

Subs: Hedman, Makelele, Shevchenko, Drogba, Bridge.

Newcastle: Given, Huntington, Ramage, Taylor, Babayaro, Rossi, Butt, N’Zogbia, Milner, Sibierski, Martins.

Subs: Srnicek, Luque, Pattison, O’Brien, Edgar.

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).