Chelsea welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge for the opening leg of the Carling Cup semi-final missing three of their key African stars - while Everton are without one of their own in Steven Pienaar.

Ivory Coast forward pair Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou have departed for the African Cup of Nations - giving Claudio Pizarro a starting spot - as has Ghana midfielder Michael Essien.

However John Obi Mikel is free to feature against the Toffeemen before jetting off to join the Nigeria squad. Steven Sidwell and Michael Ballack should join him in the middle of the park.

Portuguese centre-half Ricardo Carvalho is back for the Blues to partner Alex after suspension while left-back Ashley Cole and Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech should return from injury.

French winger Florent Malouda (knee), captain John Terry (broken foot), midfield goal-getter Frank Lampard (thigh) and Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko (leg) are also out with injuries.

David Moyes welcomes back American goalie Tim Howard, Australian midfield predator Tim Cahill and captain Phil Neville for Everton.

South African playmaker Pienaar will not take part though after FIFA rejected their appeal to stop the Bafana Bafana calling him into their squad, as they are entitled, 14 days prior to the start of the tournament in Ghana.

Leighton Baines is expected to slot into midfield on the left in front of defender Nuno Valente.

Another blow for the Merseyside outfit is the absence of Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta, suspended for the match, as well as wide man Leon Osman (ankle). Centre-half Joseph Yobo is set to play after a leg problem.

Andy Johnson and Yakubu will lead the line up front for Everton.

Click on the link underneath the photograph for possible line-ups at the Bridge!!

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport