Makelele misses match

Jose Mourinho is without veteran France midfielder Claude Makelele for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership match against Liverpool at Anfield.

Makelele is suspended and his holding role is almost certain to be handed to Mikel Jon Obi, with Michael Essien continuing to partner Ricardo Carvalho in the centre of defence in the absence of captain John Terry.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech could make his first appearance since fracturing his skull against Reading in October – but the Blues remain without Terry (back), Joe Cole (foot) and Khalid Boulahrouz (knee), although Andriy Shevchenko is fit after recovering from his hamstring problem.

Provisional squad: Hilario, Cech, Cudicini, Hedman, Geremi, Ferreira, Carvalho, Essien, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Robben, Drogba, Shevchenko, Mikel, Diarra, Kalou, Wright-Phillips.