Chelsea expect Drogba to put bite on Wolves

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is expected to return from illness this weekend to add firepower to the Premier League leaders’ attack as they look to get back to winning ways in domestic competition.

A virus forced Drogba to miss the Blues’ goalless draw at Aston Villa last Saturday and the Champions League victory over Spartak Moscow in midweek, but the Ivory Coast star hopes to recover in time for Wolves’ visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Drogba’s return would be good news for Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, who also has Salomon Kalou available again, after a series of injuries robbed the Italian of several key players.

Without Drogba and Kalou – and midfielders Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun – Ancelotti has been relying more on his younger players.

Patrick Van Aanholt, 20, Gael Kakuta, 19, and Josh McEachran, 17, came off the bench against Spartak and Kalou has tipped the young trio to make an impact this season.

“They have been training with us and they have a great attitude and if they are in the team it is because they deserve to be there,” Kalou added. “And when they have the opportunity they are going to really show what they can do.

“It is a good squad. There is a combination between young players and old players and the old players try to give their experience to the young ones, and the manager knows how to bring the best out of the young kids.”

Ancelotti has also spoken of a bright future for his young players but against Wolves he has all of his forwards available, with Florent Malouda’s six goals this season making him a regular in the team.

Malouda has spoken about how he has been inspired by jeers from opposition supporters, especially against French team Marseille earlier in the season.

“It makes me smile,” said the France international. “The fans will be really happy if Nicolas Anelka or myself signed for their club, I am sure, and at the same time it is the game, they are trying to put pressure on you because in good condition you represent a danger for their team.

“We accept it and are used to it. This is not a problem for us, it stimulates us.

“With experience you use it as a motivation to prove they are wrong, but of course you never expect away fans to support you.”

Chelsea scored six goals without reply in their matches against Wolves last season, yet striker Kevin Doyle believes getting a result at Stamford Bridge is possible.

“I look forward to these games because there is never any pressure on a team like us,” he said.

“Why can’t we go there and get something? No-one expects us to do anything but if we do it’s brilliant and a massive boost.

“We have seen teams already this year getting points off the big boys and we’ve seen it every season in the Premier League.”

Doyle and Marcus Hahnemann earned a draw at Chelsea when they were at Reading in 2006.

“I remember with Reading we drew at Chelsea and last year with Wolves we went and beat Tottenham away,” he said.

“It’s not just decided that Chelsea will beat us and while we know we’ll need to play very well and have a bit of luck, surprise results can happen.

“At some point we will get the run of the ball and a bit of good fortune and stranger things can happen.”