TEAM NEWS: Ba benched as Torres returns to Chelsea XI for Capital One Cup semi-final with Swansea

Jan 9, 2013 7:53:00 PM

The Blues' Senegalese signing drops to the bench as Rafa Benitez picks his Spanish striker to lead the line, while Michu and Ashley Williams return to the staring XI for the Swans

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has made two changes to the side that convincingly beat Southampton 5-1 in the FA Cup Third Round, with Demba Ba dropped to the bench in place of Fernando Torres.

Victor Moses is now on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria (as is John Obi Mikel), so he is replaced in the starting XI by Brazilian playmaker Oscar.

Ross Turnbull continues to deputise for the injured Petr Cech in goal, while there is no place in the starting line-up for soon-to-be-out-of-contract midfielder Frank Lampard, who has three goals in his last three games.

Michael Laudrup makes five changes to the Swansea team that drew 2-2 with Arsenal at the weekend, as leading scorer Michu has recovered sufficiently from a knock to start up front.

Danny Graham drops to the bench to make way for the Spaniard, while club captain Ashley Williams is also restored to the starting line-up in place of Kyle Bartley.

34-year-old German goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel is picked ahead of Michel Vorm, while Angel Rangel and Pablo Hernandez also make the starting XI.

Chelsea starting XI: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Cole (c), Luiz, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Torres
Subs: Hilario, Ferreira, Bertrand, Ake, Lampard, Marin, Ba

Swansea starting XI: Tremmel, Rangel, Chico, Williams (c), Davies, Britton, de Guzman, Ki, Routledge, Hernandez, Michu
Subs: Vorm, Monk, Tiendalli, Agustien, Shechter, Dyer, Graham