Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are both expected to miss Chelsea's must-win game away to Everton this evening.

Striker Drogba is still on the mend after suffering a knee injury, while Lampard will remain with his mother in London, who is suffering from pneumonia.

Having rested several players with disastrous consequences for Monday's 1-1 home draw to Wigan, Chelsea boss Avram Grant is certain to pick his best available side.

Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and Ricardo Carvalho are certain to return, with Florent Malouda, Wayne Bridge and Alex expected to make way.

Nicolas Anelka will plough a lone furrow up front in Drogba's absence unless Grant throws caution to the wind by starting Andriy Shevchenko.

Petr Cech will continue to wear both a scrum cap and a chin guard following his training-ground coming-together with Tal Ben Haim.

Chelsea lie five points behind leaders Manchester United with four games to play, although United have yet to visit Stamford Bridge, where the Blues are unbeaten for over 80 league games.

Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman are both expected to miss out for Everton due to their respective stomach and hamstring injuries.

Steven Pienaar and Tim Cahill are also out leaving Everton's midfield threadbare.

Toffees boss David Moyes expressed sympathy with fans after the game was changed to Thursday at short notice to fit TV demands.

"We were not expecting to play on a Thursday night, and I am sure Chelsea were not either," he said.

"Neither club were very keen on it. But we are paid handsomely by Sky so we have to accept it.

"But I hope it does not set a precedent that games are moved very regularly like this, and at the last moment.

"If that happens, at the beginning of every season clubs are going to be expecting games to be changed all over the place.

"As a supporter, I would not be buying a ticket in such circumstances. We have lots of supporters who travel over from Ireland and they will have booked flights and bought tickets.

"Now they have suddenly been told that has all changed. I feel the clubs have a responsibility to say, 'No, we will not do this. We have supporters we have to answer to'."

Alex Chick / Eurosport