John Mikel Obi and Michael Ballack are among the Chelsea absentees for their Champions League Group D clash against Apoel Nicosia on Wednesday.

Mikel has an ankle injury while Ballack is troubled with a calf problem so they join the suspended Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa on the sidelines.

But Joe Cole and Deco are both fit and will start on the bench while coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to make a late decision on the fitness of left-back Ashley Cole.

The England defender was forced out of their defeat at Wigan at the weekend with a knee injury but has travelled with the squad.

Blues (from): Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Ivanovic, A Cole, Carvalho, Terry, Belletti, Hutchinson, Bruma, Essien, Lampard, J Cole, Malouda, Zhirkov, Deco, Kalou, Sturridge, Anelka, Borini.