Scolari reveals double boost

Cole set to return against Reds

Last updated: 24th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Scolari reveals double boost

Scolari: Happy with squad

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Luiz Felipe Scolari has declared that Ashley Cole could be set to return for Chelsea against Liverpool on Sunday, while Michael Essien may also be back a month earlier than expected.

The left-back picked up a hamstring problem on England duty and has sat out Chelsea's last two games.

Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Essien all remain sidelined but Ashley Cole is back in training and could be available for this weekend's top-of-the-table encounter.

Scolari is also hopeful that Didier Drogba will soon be available again following injury.

He said: "I have 24 in my squad. Essien, Ballack, Joe Cole and Didier are out until now.

"Ashley Cole started training today and maybe he's ready.

"Didier needs a minimum of one week or 10 days still."

Essien lift

Scolari insists he is prepared to wait until January before making any transfer plans, after chief executive Peter Kenyon revealed earlier on Friday that Chelsea do not intend to bring in any new players.

Scolari maintains that he is happy with his squad despite the recent injury crisis and realises the situation will change over the coming two months.

Essien was expected to be sidelined for six months after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury but Scolari believes he could be back early in the New Year.

"We don't know what happens until January," explained the Brazilian. "We changed some players when we had the injury for Essien, and I received Mineiro.

"We have many games between now and January. After that, we'll talk about this.

"When I meet Peter every week, I say I'm happy with this squad but we don't know what will happen until January. It's normal for Peter to say 'no' at the moment because it's impossible to buy players now.

"I don't think it's a problem of money. We'll just discuss this at the correct time. Now is not the correct time. Liverpool is a big game. I don't want to be thinking about transfers when I've got plenty to think about with Liverpool.

"I am satisfied with my players. In January, I'll give to you good news. Very good news about new players in Chelsea.

"I can do that now if you want? Essien.

"I think he'll be back a month earlier than the doctors said. I think God helped me and, in January, I think he will play for us at the last few days in January."

Liverpool threat

Scolari's immediate focus is on the clash with Liverpool and he accepts that Rafa Benitez's side will pose a serious threat.

"These two clubs have the same spirit," said Scolari. "They fight until the last minute to win.

"They've won more games in the last minute than us. They have a very good team and it'll be a fantastic game on Sunday. We'll try to win, for sure.

"They are dangerous because they have a good team with good players. They are very organised. They haven't lost a game this season when, sometimes, they were losing in the last five or 10 minutes, they still managed to change those results.

"That's the best thing about Liverpool for me. They changed the results because they played as a team. That's what I want from my team. The respect is mutual. They don't have one magical player. They have a good team.

"I've never played against Rafa Benitez before, but I've watched many games in England when I was with Portugal. I think this is Benitez's best team - competitive, quality, players in good positions and with the idea not to lose going into the last few minutes.

"Steven Gerrard is as important for them as (Frank) Lampard is for us. Both are very important."

Despite his respect for Liverpool, Scolari remains confident that Chelsea can extend their unbeaten start to the season.

When asked if he felt Chelsea could stay unbeaten in the league all season, he replied: "I think it's possible."