Essien, Lampard and Drogba on bench

Chelsea made several changes to the side that trounced Blackburn 5-0 at the weekend.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti left Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba on the bench and rested John Terry, Nicolas Anelka, Ricardo Carvalho and goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Daniel Sturridge was selected alongside Salomon Kalou in attack with Joe Cole expected to play in behind the front two. Defender Alex begins his first senior game since the FA Cup final after recovering from groin surgery.

There is no Kevin Davies for Bolton, meaning Ivan Klasnic, who scored against Everton at the weekend, is the lone striker. Ali Al Habsi is the goalkeeper with Jussi Jaaskelainen on the bench.

Chelsea: Hilario, Belletti, Ivanovic, Alex, Paulo Ferreira, Deco, Ballack, Malouda, Joe Cole, Kalou, Sturridge. Subs: Turnbull, Essien, Lampard, Drogba, Matic, Bruma, Borini.

Bolton: Al Habsi, Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Samuel, Muamba, Steinsson, Mark Davies, Gardner, Taylor, Klasnic. Subs: Jaaskelainen, Robinson, Elmander, Cohen, Lee, Basham, Andrew O’Brien.

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)