Blues wait on Ballack

Chelsea are waiting on the fitness of Germany midfielder Michael Ballack for the visit of Reading.

Ballack has missed the last two games with a calf strain but is now back in training.

Chelsea are still without four players on international duty in the African Nations Cup – Salomon Kalou, Mikel John Obi, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba.

Captain John Terry (foot), Andriy Shevchenko (back) and Frank Lampard (thigh) all miss out.

Squad: Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, A Cole, Bridge, Carvalho, Ben-Haim, Alex, Sidwell, J Cole, Malouda, Pizarro, Anelka, Wright-Phillips, Makelele, Ballack.