Drogba For United Clash

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will start the crunch match with Premier League leaders Manchester United on Saturday, according to Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Cote d'Ivoire international was rested for the 7-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday and had been a doubt with a minor knee injury.

But he trained on Thursday and will lead the line against the champions at Old Trafford.

'He did not train for two days because of a kick on the knee (in training) by Yuri Zhirkov,' Ancelotti said.

'But today he trained well and he will play.'
Juliano Belletti is the only new player added to the squad after recovering from a knee injury that received treatment in his native Brazil.

Champions United have a one-point advantage over their nearest rivals and, with Chelsea facing two more tough away assignments at Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur this season, the onus is on the Londoners to go for broke at Old Trafford.

Ancelotti has favoured a 4-4-2 system, featuring a diamond shape in midfield, for much of the campaign but a switch to 4-3-3 since last month's Champions League defeat by Inter Milan has led to an avalanche of 12 goals in two games.