Both sides have had their strike forces depleted by the African Cup of Nations, but there will still be plenty of firepower on show in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg.

Visitors Chelsea, bringing a 2-1 aggregate lead to Goodison Park, are without Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, while Everton are missing striker Yakubu and winger Steven Piennaar due to Africa's premier tournament.

However, new signing Nicolas Anelka has looked in good form in his two matches for the west London side since joining from Bolton, and Andy Johnson found the net for Everton against Wigan on Saturday.

Another attacking blow for Chelsea is the news that midfielder Frank Lampard will be out for a further two weeks after aggravating a thigh injury. However, Shaun Wright-Phillips is back in the squad after some light training during the week.

Defender Tony Hibbert and midfielder Leon Osman, who both came up through the ranks at Everton, have this week signed new contracts at the club, and are both expected to start.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant claims his side have the advantage as the Toffees are "not used to taking trophies".

Grant's first trophy as a manager was the equivalent competition in Israel with Hapoel Petah Tikva, and he believes that experience means he knows what is going through Everton's minds.

He said: "I don't think it will give them an advantage, but I understand clubs that do not take a trophy for a long time.

"My first senior trophy was the Toto Cup in 1990, it was the equivalent of the Carling Cup. This is the reason I understand a team like Everton, who are not used to taking trophies.

"We were a very small club - we didn't have a budget for the tea."

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