Blues missing key pair

Chelsea will be without Frank Lampard and Michael Essien through injury and suspension respectively when they host Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

England midfielder Lampard will be out for at least another three weeks after he broke down in training yesterday.

Lampard, who last played for the club at the end of August, was recovering from hernia and tendon problems when he suffered a further setback with his abductor muscle.

Striker Nicolas Anelka, who missed the 1-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday with a back injury, is fit to play but defender Alex is out with a knee problem.

Essien starts a three-match ban after being sent off against Fulham for his lunge on Clint Dempsey.

Squad: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Obi, Ramires, Zhirkov, Drogba, Anelka, Kalou, Malouda, Turnbull, Van Aanholt, McEachran, Borini, Bruma, Ferriera, Sturridge, Kakuta.