Didier Drogba and Michael Essien will start Wednesday's Champions League clash against Porto on the bench as they continue to recover from injury.

Essien, who scored twice in Saturday's 4-0 win against Wolves, has a knee problem and Drogba a chest complaint.

Michael Ballack and Deco return to the squad after injury while Ricardo Carvalho is set to feature against his former side after being rested.

Frank Lampard and Jose Bosingwa are out but Gael Kakuta is in the 20-man party.

Patchy domestic form has left Porto in third place in the Portuguese league, five points off the lead, but for the first time this season coach Jesualdo Ferreira has a full squad at his disposal.

His players are also rested after their Portuguese Cup game last weekend was postponed, although a question remains over the match fitness of some key players.

Argentine playmaker Fernando Belluschi, who has not played for a month, is expected to return to the three-man midfield alongside Fernando and Raul Meireles.

Uruguayan Cristian Rodriguez has been in and out of the team because of injury and uneven form, but he could start on the left flank, with Brazilian international Hulk on the right and Colombia international Radamel Falcao at centre-forward.

Chelsea will finish top of Group D if they secure their first ever victory at Porto's Stadium of the Dragon, although both clubs have already qualified for the next round.

Chelsea have 10 points from four games, one more than Porto, but the London club lost and drew in their previous two visits to the northern Portuguese city. First place in the group grants a favourable seeding in the draw for the next round.

Chelsea beat Porto 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the opening round but the Dragons bounced back and are on a three-game winning streak in the competition.

"Porto have a very good team and coach but while we respect them we have no fear," said Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"They did well in the last game at Stamford Bridge. We want to put our personality and quality on the pitch on Wednesday.

"We want to arrive at first place in the group and it is a very good test because Porto are a very good team."

Of his team selection, the Italian said: "We are in Portugal and Carvalho and Deco will play.

"The players who did not play against Wolves will play - Branislav Ivanovic, Deco, Ballack, Carvalho.

"I don't know about Drogba. He is well but I prefer to keep him on the bench.

"Essien has a little problem on his knee. I prefer to keep him on the bench but it will not be a problem for Sunday against Arsenal."