Jose Mourinho insists Didier Drogba is ready to lead the line for Chelsea against Manchester United on Sunday if needed.
Drogba had been nursing an ankle problem before playing most of the Champions League hammering of Maribor on Tuesday, when he scored his first goal since returning to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
And with Diego Costa struggling for fitness and Loic Remy out with groin problem, Drogba could be called upon at Old Trafford.
“He pushes himself to different levels for the team.”
Mourinho on Drogba
Some eyebrows were raised when Mourinho brought the 36-year-old striker back to the club but the Blues boss, who heaped praise on Drogba after his substitute appearance at Crystal Palace last weekend, says he has every faith in him.
Mourinho said: “His contribution will always, always be important.
“He was injured in the moment when Diego was fine and scoring goals. But at the moment Diego can’t play and now Remy cannot play, he understands the responsibility and he pushes himself to different levels for the team.
“Against Crystal Palace he did not train even once but he put himself out there to help.
“There was no reaction to the injury. We are happy with the reaction and he is happy too.”
Mourinho has also backed Filipe Luis, who is set to make his first Premier League start as Cesar Azpilicueta is suspended after being sent off against Palace.
“It is not easy to come and keep Azpilicueta out of the team, because Azpilicueta is such a good player,” Mourinho said.
“Our defenders are very, very young. The ‘second line’ of Andreas Christensen Nathan Ake and Kurt Zouma are still taking info in.
“We decided to take an experienced player to help and give us stability. He [Luis] has played in the Champions League and he is in perfect condition.
“He is very stable and very experienced and as a team it makes no difference.”
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This post was last modified on 24/10/2014