Scolari plans new year title surge

Luiz Felipe Scolari has warned Chelsea's title rivals that his team will win the Premier League if they are in the top two at the end of December.

Scolari has led Chelsea to the top of the table despite a series of injuries to key players like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack.

Even with so many injury problems, Chelsea have looked the best team in England for much of the season. And although the Blues have wobbled recently, Scolari is convinced they will be a far more formidable proposition in the second half of the campaign when his walking wounded have fully recovered and found top form.

That would spell trouble for Liverpool, currently behind Chelsea on goal difference, reigning champions Manchester United, who trail the west London club by eight points and Arsenal, whose title hopes would be virtually killed off by defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“What I said to my players one month ago was we need to go from November 15 until the last day in December in good form,” Scolari said.

“If we are in first or second, then I'll have the players back to challenge in all competitions.

“We'll be better in the second half of the season. Look at Ricardo Carvalho – I need to recover him because, in the last few seasons, there have been seven or eight injuries. I've seen the medical history.

“I need to stay between first and second. After finishing December, my players are ready and in good condition.”

A victory over Arsenal would be Scolari's first success in a truely significant match since taking charge. With Liverpool facing a winnable home game against West Ham on Monday, Chelsea cannot afford to drop points to their London rivals.

In the circumstances, Scolari needs as many options as possible so he was relieved to hear Joe Cole insist he is ready to play through the pain barrier.

England winger Cole is struggling with an ankle injury but Scolari said: “His reaction when I talked to him was very good. He said: 'Mister, forget me. I am ready.'

“I said 'Ok, very well'. Maybe he'll feel something but, in his mind, he wants to play. He will put up with some pain.”

Juliano Belletti and Franco Di Santo have joined Chelsea's long injury list and will miss out, while Drogba is suspended. Brazilian defender Alex returns from a groin strain.