Drogba and Kalou back for Blues

Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea expect to welcome back Ivory Coast strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou for the trip to Hull.

The duo have returned from the African Nations Cup, but were not considered for the match at Burnley on Saturday.

Midfielder Michael Essien is out with a knee injury along, while Juliano Belletti (calf) is also sidelined.

Provisional squad: Cech, Terry, Alex, A Cole, Deco, Ivanovic, Malouda, Zhirkov, Lampard, J Cole, Sturridge, Ballack, Anelka, Carvalho, Ferreira, Turnbull, Matic, Borini, Drogba, Kalou.