Cole returns for must-win Blues game

Chelsea made five changes for their Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

Branislav Ivanovic replaced the suspended John Terry in defence while left-back Ashley Cole was preferred to Yury Zhirkov.

It was Cole’s first outing since he fractured his ankle against Everton last February.

Deco was unwell so Salomon Kalou replaced him. Michael Ballack was given the holding role instead of the injured John Obi Mikel and Nicolas Anelka came in for Joe Cole in attack.

Stoke made two changes from the side that lost to Bolton last week. Ricardo Fuller replaced Sanli Tuncay and Matt Etherington started ahead of Liam Lawrence.

Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Ivanovic, Alex, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka.

Subs: Hilario, Joe Cole, Zhirkov, Sturridge, Belletti, Hutchinson, Van Aanholt.

Stoke: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Huth, Abdoulaye Faye, Collins, Delap, Whitehead, Whelan, Etherington, Fuller, Kitson.

Subs: Begovic, Lawrence, Beattie, Pugh, Shawcross, Sanli, Wilkinson.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)