Ba is back

Chelsea striker Demba Ba is set to return up front in place of Fernando Torres for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland.

Ba, scorer of Monday’s FA Cup winner against Manchester United, was cup-tied for last night’s Europa League defeat of Rubin Kazan, when Torres scored twice, but is poised to be restored as Rafael Benitez rotates his squad for the Blues’ fourth match in nine days.

Ashley Cole (hamstring) and his fellow England defender Gary Cahill (knee) remain out alongside long-term absentee Oriol Romeu (knee).

Provisional squad: Cech, Turnbull, Hilario, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Bertrand, Luiz, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Oscar, Mata, Benayoun, Mikel, Moses, Lampard, Hazard, Marin, Torres, Ake, Ba.