Chelsea without Portugal pair

Chelsea will be without Portugal duo Deco (thigh) and Ricardo Carvalho (knee) for the Carling Cup clash against Portsmouth at Fratton Park tomorrow.

After sustaining injuries before and during the draw against Manchester United at the weekend, Chelsea’s latest injury victims join Michael Essien (knee) on the sidelines.

Didier Drogba (knee) and Michael Ballack (ankle) are still short of match fitness.

Provisional squad: Cech, Ivanovic, A Cole, Lampard, Di Santo, J Cole, Drogba, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Sinclair, Bosingwa, Bridge, Ferreira, Kalou, Cudicini, Terry, Alex, Belletti, Anelka, Hilario.