Nicolas Anelka has been a regular starter for Chelsea this season but he was left out against Manchester United at the weekend in favour of Didier Drogba. Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has played down reports of friction with the Frenchman but does admit Anelka and Drogba cannot play together.

"There has been no row with me," he said. "It is my choice sometimes - this or that player.

"I have 24 good players but only two centre-forwards. One is playing and not the other.

"Everybody thinks it is easy to play two strikers because they are good. But I try to prove to the people and for me, and Chelsea, that is difficult.

"When one player is outside, as was Didier Drogba, he needs to play two, three or four games, and in that time I need to look at what's happened. Afterwards I have to decide. It is my option."