Chelsea depleted for Spartak mission

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti named a depleted line-up for his side’s Champions League Group F clash with Spartak Moscow here on Tuesday, due to injuries to several key players.

With Frank Lampard (hernia), Alex (thigh) and Didier Drogba (fever) unfit, Ancelotti made two changes to the team that drew 0-0 at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

Russian international Yuri Zhirkov replaced Ramires in midfield, while Salomon Kalou came in for French youngster Gael Kakuta in the forward line.

Spartak’s own Brazilian defender Alex was ruled out with a thigh problem, but Irish winger Aiden McGeady was named in the starting XI after shrugging off a leg injury.

Chelsea, who are level with Spartak on six points at the top of Group F, are making their first appearance at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium since losing there on penalties to Manchester United in the 2007-08 Champions League final.

Teams

Spartak Moscow: Dikan, Parshivlyuk, Pareja, Suchy, Makeev, McGeady, Ibson, Shyeshukov, Dmitri Kombarov, Ari, Welliton

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Zhirkov, Kalou, Anelka, Malouda

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)