Ballack set to return

Michael Ballack is set to return for Chelsea at Sunderland after missing the win over Bolton with flu.

Defender Ricardo Carvalho and midfielder Deco are also in contention after recovering from hamstring problems.

Chelsea remain without long-term injury victims Joe Cole and Paulo Ferreira. They are both sidelined with knee ligament injuries.

Provisional squad: Cech, Hilario, Bosingwa, A Cole, Terry, Ivanovic, Alex, Carvalho, Belletti, Ballack, Obi, Lampard, Kalou, Malouda, Di Santo, Drogba, Anelka, Essien, Mancienne.