Roberto Di Matteo Chelsea boss intends to field a strong side
against FC Nordsjaelland but Daniel Sturridge misses out with a
hamstring problem.
The England forward's absence means striker Fernando
Torres now looks certain to maintain his record of having started every
match this season.
Frank Lampard is set to return to the side having been left out of the starting XI for the past three matches.
Di Matteo may rest one or two players but wholesale changes are not likely.
"It'll be a strong team," he said ahead of the Group E Champions League game.
"There might be a couple of changes, because we played a
very intense game on Saturday. A win would certainly help, and that's
what we're aiming for.
Di Matteo went on to insist Lampard's future was "very
strong", despite renewed speculation over whether the midfielder's
glittering Stamford Bridge career might be drawing to a close.
"He's a very important player for us," he added. "I've
had conversations with him, yeah, which I do on a regular basis with the
players. I like to exchange opinions. He's very supportive of the team
when he's not in the team. When he's in the team, he's a great performer
as well."
Nordsjaelland were only formed in 1991 following a
merger of two clubs from the eastern Danish town of Farum, and not a
single member of their playing staff had previously sampled Champions
League football prior to this season.
They have nonetheless acquired a reputation for playing
expansive, possession-based football under highly rated coach Kasper
Hjulmand, and impressed despite losing 2-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk in their
Group E opener.
"It's a fantastic story - winning the league for the
first time in their history; a young coach, trying to develop a brand of
football that he likes," Di Matteo added.
"Nordsjaelland have shown how good they are. They went
to Shakhtar and had the majority of possession against a good team. They
weren't afraid to play their football and it'll be difficult for us.
"On paper, we probably are the favourites, but we have to show this on the pitch."
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