Chelsea boss Avram Grant says his two goalkeepers are close to returning to fitness - but he will have to wait longer on a host of other injured players.

Both Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini are set to boost Chelsea's title charge as they come back from respective hip and rib injuries - they may even be fit enough to feature Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final first leg at home to Everton.

But Grant said he did not know if he could count on other names on the Blues' lengthy injury list returning at the same time.

"We will have Ricardo Carvalho back from suspension [for the Everton game], but for the others we will know tomorrow," the Israeli coach said.

"The goalkeepers are closest to being fit."

Chelsea will lose several players including African Footballer of the Year Didier Drogba, fellow Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou, Ghana's Michael Essien and Nigeria's John Obi Mikel to this month's African Nations Cup.

Drogba played for the first time in more than a month on Saturday, coming on as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 FA Cup third round win over west London neighbours QPR.

The experienced striker, who had knee surgery last month, will join Ivory Coast's squad before Tuesday's game.

"It was important he play for us, even for a short time," Grant said.

Nigeria may allow Mikel to play on Tuesday before joining up for the tournament which starts on January 20 in Ghana.

Chelsea captain John Terry, who broke three bones in his foot against Arsenal last month, was still on crutches on Saturday.

Vice captain Frank Lampard (thigh), winger Florent Malouda (knee), midfielder Claude Makelele (ear operation) and striker Andriy Shevchenko (foot) are also injured.

Grant said losing his African quartet at the same time as having a string of injuries meant Chelsea were looking seriously at bringing players in during this month's transfer window.

Eurosport / Reuters