Real Madrid are receiving encouragement in their interest for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. The Daily Mail says Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic is an admirer of the 30-year-old and is desperate to capture an experienced replacement for Van Nistelrooy, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The fruitless pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea's £20million valuation of Drogba put paid to Real's interest in the summer.

But with Real ready to pay up to £15m for him in January and with only 18 months remaining on his contract, Chelsea could be tempted, especially after Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told cash will be short for the transfer window.

Injury has restricted Drogba to one Barclays Premier League start this season, while Nicolas Anelka has shone in his absence, scoring 13 goals in all competitions. Anelka's blistering form could tempt Scolari to cash in and use the money to fund a suitable replacement.