Defensive dilemma for Villas-Boas

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas was today hoping David Luiz would spare him a defensive crisis for the December 26 west London derby against Fulham.

Villas-Boas found himself down to just one centre-half in last night’s Barclays Premier League game at Tottenham after Branislav Ivanovic limped off injured, along with midfielder John Obi Mikel.

Both look set to miss Monday’s Stamford Bridge showdown, but Villas-Boas was optimistic Luiz would return from a knee problem, while he may recall Frank Lampard with Ramires suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season.

Provisional squad: Cech, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Romeu, Lampard, McEachran, Mata, Malouda, Meireles, Torres, Drogba, Kalou, Sturridge, Lukaku, Turnbull.