Bridge starts for Blues after Cole ruled out

Wayne Bridge started at left-back for Chelsea in tonight’s Champions League clash with CFR Cluj after Ashley Cole was ruled out with lower back pain.

Chelsea were otherwise unchanged from the 2-0 win against Stoke at the weekend as striker Didier Drogba returned to European action.

Drogba, who averages more than a goal a game in the Champions League, missed Chelsea’s opening 4-0 victory over Bordeaux through suspension following his red card in last season’s final.

Cluj, the Romanian champions, beat Roma 2-1 on their Champions League debut and their Italian coach Maurizio Trombetta named an unchanged team.

CFR: Cluj-Napoca: Stancioiu, Tony, Souza, Cadu, Pereira, Culio, Muresan, Dani, Dubarbier, Yssouf Kone, Trica. Subs: Nuno Claro, Panin, Hugo Alcantara, Deac, Emmanuel Kone, Didi, Ruiz.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Bridge, Mikel, Kalou, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Drogba. Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Di Santo, Ferreira, Belletti, Anelka, Stoch.

Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany)