Torres and Lampard start for Chelsea

Fernando Torres started his first Barclays Premier League game for almost two months and Chelsea’s defensive injury problems also eased for today’s west London derby with Fulham.

Torres was given a chance to play himself back into form ahead of Didier Drogba’s departure for African Nations Cup duty, David Luiz recovered from a knee injury to partner John Terry at the back, while Frank Lampard and Oriol Romeu were also recalled.

Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson were not in the Fulham squad as the visitors handed a first league start to Kerim Frei and a second to Orlando Sa, as well as drafting in Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Kelly.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Meireles, Romeu, Lampard, Sturridge, Torres, Mata.

Subs: Turnbull, Drogba, Malouda, Lukaku, Ferreira, McEachran, Kalou.

Fulham: Stockdale, Kelly, Hangeland, Senderos, John Arne Riise, Dempsey, Murphy, Frei, Dembele, Orlando Sa, Ruiz.

Subs: Etheridge, Sidwell, Baird, Kasami, Hughes, Etuhu, Briggs.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)