Chelsea short on defensive options

Chelsea’s 20-goal top scorer Didier Drogba and defender Ricardo Carvalho are suspended for the Carling Cup semi-final, first leg at Wycombe tomorrow night.

It means manager Jose Mourinho will not be able to call on a single recognised central defender with midfielder Michael Essien and full-back Paulo Ferreira set to play at the heart of the defence.

Mourinho is still without Carlo Cudicini (thigh), Petr Cech (skull), Joe Cole (foot), John Terry (back), Khalid Boulahrouz (knee) and Arjen Robben (hamstring).

Provisional squad: Hilario, Hedman, Ferreira, Geremi, A Cole, Bridge, Essien, Diarra, Obi, Lampard, Makelele, Ballack, Shevchenko, Wright-Phillips, Kalou, Morais. Woods.