Michael Ballack has missed Chelsea's last six games after undergoing foot surgery but Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari hopes the German international will be fit for the next UEFA Champions League game against Bordeaux. Ballack would be the ideal replacement for the suspended Deco.
Scolari is keeping his fingers crossed that Ballack will be ready to return to the team in three weeks' time.
"Maybe I will have players back like Ballack for that game," said Scolari. "So I will still have quality in my midfield."