Ballack and Makalele back for Blues

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho drafted Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele back into his team for the must-win Premiership clash with Newcastle.

Ricardo Carvalho, Lassana Diarra and Mikel John Obi made way from the side which started the 4-1 win at West Ham in midweek as Paulo Ferreira, Ballack and Makelele returned.

Newcastle were once again without skipper and former Blues midfielder Scott Parker, but Kieron Dyer and Antoine Sibierski were included after injury at the expense of Damien Duff and Charles N’Zogbia.

There was a place too for central defender Titus Bramble, the man whose last day winner against Chelsea last season took Newcastle into Europe, with Craig Moore making way.

Newcastle: Harper, Solano, Bramble, Taylor, Carr, Milner, Butt, Dyer, Emre, Sibierski, Martins.

Subs: Srnicek, N’Zogbia, Ramage, Babayaro, Carroll.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Essien, Terry, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Makelele, Lampard, Ballack, Drogba, Kalou.

Subs: Cudicini, Shevchenko, Boulahrouz, Joe Cole, Mikel.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)