Carlo Ancelotti Reveals Gael Kakuta Is On Chelsea's Bench For Wolves Clash

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that he will be looking to the young players in his squad to step forward when senior men are absent.

The Blues are set to lose some key players to the African Cup of Nations in January, but Ancelotti insists that the young players in his squad means the club has the necessary depth to cope.

Ashley Cole is expected to be fit for the game, though Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Deco and Michael Ballack are all missing.

Drogba must avoid physical contact after damaging his ribs against Manchester United whilst Ballack has a minor knee injury. Deco has a niggling groin strain. All three should be fit to face Porto in midweek, though Lampard will not be fit.

"Ashley Cole has trained very well for two weeks, he is over his problem and for him it was very good to stay here for two weeks," Ancelotti told reporters at his Friday press conference.

"Now our aim is to maintain players fit and in good condition. This is our aim for the future. We have play also without African players in January but we don't want to take a player on loan for this period.

"We have young players, we can use them in that period. I want to use young players on the bench and if it is possible I can put them on the pitch.

"Tomorrow we have Fabio Borini, Nemanja Matic and Gael Kakuta on the bench."

Ancelotti does have have faith in his defenders though, and feels that the Blues currently possess the best back four in the world.

"From the start of the season the defensive line did very well. With Alex, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, I think Chelsea has the best central defence in the world at the moment," he added.

"It is the same level as I had at Milan. I was very happy with [Alessandro] Nesta and [Paolo] Maldini there in the past and also I am happy to train the Chelsea defenders. No-one has four central defenders with this quality. They can play in any team in the world."

And the Italian was certainly not taking Mick McCarthy's Wolves lightly.

"I know them and they have played a lot of games with very good play," he stated.

"They have good strikers and I think Kevin Doyle tomorrow will be hungry because of what happened Wednesday with Ireland. We have to pay attention."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK