Starting with the good news, both David Luiz and Petr Cech are back in the squad to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas confirmed that the duo are available:
“They are available for selection.
“David Luiz went with the national team last week. He was selected but not available to play because we felt he was in the last process of recovery. Both players have done extremely well since the whole squad got together yesterday.”
Daniel Sturridge could also feature after returning from a three-match suspension and the manager has been pleased with the forward’s effort during training:
“Sturridge never stopped training very, very well since his last game against Rangers where he scored twice. He is very competitive in training.
“Everyone saw the part he can play, not only in our pre-season but at Bolton last year so it is a plus that he is available for selection and he can add to the team as well.”
However, Didier Drogba won’t play a part against Sunderland or Bayer Leverkusen but has returned to training and could be back for Chelsea’s trip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United on the 18th of this month:
“Didier Drogba has to be authorised medically to make his full return to training.
“He has been doing light sessions in the gym with our physios and we will try to have him available for the Man United game next weekend. I wouldn’t say that he will be available for the Bayer Leverkusen match.
“The first days were ones of tremendous pain for him. He had his family supporting him and he had complete support from our medical staff who were with him 24/7. Now we just have to make sure that he is fully recovered before he comes back to training because that is the requirement you have to do neurologically.”
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