Bordeaux v Chelsea

Uefa Champions League, Group A
Venue: Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux Date: Wednesday 26 November
Kick-off: 1945 GMT

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is able to play because his suspension for throwing a coin into the crowd only applies to domestic football.

Michael Ballack is also available but fellow midfielder Deco is suspended from the match in France.

Deco was sent off during Chelsea's last Champions League outing as they lost 3-1 away at Roma.

Brazilian defender Alex has travelled with the rest of the squad after he recovered from a groin strain.

However, Ricardo Carvalho (knee), Michael Essien (knee), Juliano Belletti (ankle) and Franco di Santo (hamstring) are all on Chelsea's injury list and will not feature.

Despite that defeat in Rome Chelsea still top Group A by one point, while the Blues beat Bordeaux 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in the first meeting between the sides in the competition.

And manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has underlined the importance of a repeat performance on Wednesday night which will see Chelsea qualify for the knockout stages with a game to spare.

"We need to qualify either on Wednesday or against Cluj and reach the second round," he said.

"We had a chance against Roma and now we have a second chance. Myself and the players cannot wait for more chances and tomorrow (Wednesday) is the day.

"What I know about Bordeaux is that they have very good players and the result in the first match was not a normal result.

"I know they are in fifth or sixth in France and they didn't start the competition very well but they have played well since and we respect this team and more. They have six points and we have only seven so there is no difference."

Bordeaux's first-choice goalkeeper Ulrich Rame is a late withdrawal with a hamstring injury, which means 25-year-old Matthieu Valverde is likely to deputise.

The Girondins come in to the game following back-to-back Champions League victories over CFR Cluj, but have never beaten an English team at home in Europe.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, A Cole, Bridge, Lampard, Ballack, Obi, Kalou, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka, Stoch, J Cole.