Chelsea pair cleared to play

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Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that David Luiz and goalkeeper Petr Cech will be available for Saturday’s match at Sunderland.

But Didier Drogba, who suffered concussion in a sickening collision against Norwich, is unlikely to be considered for the game at the Stadium of Light.

Drogba is a major doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen as well, and faces a race against time to be ready for the match against Manchester United a week on Sunday.

Villas-Boas said: “I wouldn’t say he would be available for Leverkusen. Let’s push it to the limit to try for him to be available for United.

“We have to make sure he’s fully recovered before he comes back to training, because that’s the requirement. He must be authorised medically to return to training.”

Cech’s return after a knee injury is a massive boost for Villas-Boas, whose team have looked uncertain at the back in their opening Premier League matches.

The Czech Republic international sustained medial ligament damage during a pre-season training session, but has made a quicker-than-expected recovery and is set to reclaim his place from stand-in keeper Hilario.

Brazilian defender Luiz, who has also not featured yet this term, has been given the all-clear after a thigh problem.