Deco to sit out Sunderland clash

Chelsea will be without midfielder Deco when they entertain Sunderland in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Deco has recovered from his hamstring problem but is not yet match-fit. He is expected to return for the FA Cup fourth round tie against Preston next week.

Right-back Jose Bosingwa is still not match-fit following his knee surgery and the Blues are without John Mikel Obi, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou. All four are on international duty in the African Nations Cup.

Provisional squad: Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Ivanovic, Belletti, Alex, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Malouda, J Cole, Zhirkov, Kakuta, Bruma, Borini, Sturridge, Matic, Anelka.