Essien out for Blues

Chelsea will be without the suspended Michael Essien for tomorrow’s Premier League game with West Ham.

Manager Avram Grant has no new injury worries but will still be without a number of experienced players, including goalkeeper Petr Cech (calf).

Midfielder Michael Ballack (ankle), winger Florent Malouda (knee) and defenders Ricardo Carvalho (back) and Paulo Ferreira (ankle) are also absent.

Provisional squad: Cudicini, Hilario, Belletti, Terry, Alex, Ben-Haim, Lampard, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole, Sidwell, Kalou, Shevchenko, Drogba, Pizarro, Wright-Phillips, Bridge, Makelele.