League Cup Preview: Chelsea vs Newcastle United

Chelsea are currently in the form of their lives as they welcome Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge for a third round tie in the League Cup.

Since tasting defeat to Manchester United in the Community Shield, Carlo Ancelotti's charges have gone from strength to strength by scoring 25 goals in all competitions since. The emphatic nature of this statistic is showcased through the goals-per-game ratio, which puts the west London club at over four goals a match.

They have also begun well in their quest to claim the European crown, as their first game in the Champions League - away to MSK Zilina - saw them travel to Slovakia and obtain a 4-1 victory.

However, the Italian boss is expected to field a few of his fringe players for this encounter, keeping in mind the tough set of fixtures that lie ahead.

Ancelotti's men have a trip to Manchester City this weekend, with Olympique Marseille breathing down their necks in the Champions League. They then have a blockbuster fixture against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, before a visit to Aston Villa which will be followed by the long distance trip to Russia to take on Spartak Moscow.

So the League Cup tie is likely to be used by the manager as a way to give his non-regular players a run out.

Newcastle United has had a relatively decent start to the season, which began with a loss to Manchester United on the opening day. But that was followed by an emphatic 6-0 victory over Aston Villa. Their recent loss to Blackpool also proved to be a minor hiccup, as they outclassed and outplayed Everton in a recent 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.

The manager of the Tyneside club, Chris Hughton, has confirmed that he will use this encounter to give some of his fringe players a chance to put in a strong performance and challenge for a first-team spot.

Hughton said: "We will use the squad and there will be significant changes.

"I don’t mind the supporters who are travelling down knowing that. We have a lot of options and there will be changes to the team."

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Jose Bosingwa is still out with a knee injury and is expected to return only about two to three weeks from now, while fellow defender John Terry sat out the game against Blackpool owing to a rib injury. Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti would be loath to risk his skipper in a game that is not as significant as the ones ahead, and should likely give the centre-half a rest - should he be fit in the first place.

In the meantime, midfielder Frank Lampard was recently reported as still recovering from a hernia operation, which makes him a doubt for this game. Even if fit, the former Milan boss may choose to ease him back into action by bringing him on during the latter stages of the game.

But all said and done, it is a League Cup tie and changes are to be expected.

Possible starting XI: Turnbull; Bruma, Alex, Ivanovic, Van Aanholt; Zhirkov, Ramires, Benayoun; Kakuta, Sturridge, Borini.

Newcastle United

The shoulder injury to goalkeeper Steve Harper means that Tim Krul will start, while it could be argued that the Dutchman would have started anyway since this is a League Cup tie.

The Toon boss Chris Hughton has confirmed that he will ring in the changes, so a few fringe players can be expected to make the cut into the line-up.

Meanwhile, defender Sol Campbell has put in a few appearances for the reserves and has been pushing for a start, and could be given the look in for this game.

Possible Starting XI: Krul; Taylor, Tavernier, Campbell, Kadar; Donaldson, Vuckic, Ferguson, Lovenkrands; Ameobi, Ranger.

Carlo Ancelotti Wants Chelsea Youngsters To 'Show Their Quality' In League Cup Run Out

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has challenged his young stars to "show their quality" when handed a League Cup run out on Wednesday night.

The Blues meet Newcastle United in the third round of the competition, with the Italian set to hand starts to Daniel Sturridge, Gael Kakuta and Jeffrey Bruma.

Speaking to the club's official website, Ancelotti welcomed the opportunity to see his starlets in action.

He said: "It is a good experience for them to play this kind of game. They are involved this season more compared to last season and when there is an opportunity I want to give them the opportunity to play and show their quality."

The 51-year-old added: "They were involved in the last games, Sturridge played in the Champions League, Kakuta played two games, Bruma played in the last game against Blackpool and they will get more opportunities to play.

"The academy did a good job in the last years and now we have the young players ready to play in our squad. Obviously against Newcastle it is important to win to maintain a good atmosphere here but the most important thing is that these players can show their quality for the team."

Ancelotti also confirmed that Frank Lampard was not yet ready to return following hernia surgery, but skipper John Terry should feature.

"JT is fit to play and maybe can play on Wednesday for 45 minutes which could help Bruma, but Lampard is not available," he stated.

Drogba Eyes Record Breaking Quadruple Success

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has set his sights on an unprecedented quadruple clean sweep of the game's biggest trophies this season.

Drogba, 32, has played a key role as the Blues have begun the defence of their Premier League crown in dominant form. Despite also lifting the FA Cup in manager Carlo Ancelotti's debut campaign, the failures in the Champions League and League Cup led to disappointment.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Ivory Coast international was determined to help his club battle on all fronts.

"It's very difficult, this is a very difficult thing to achieve," Drogba said.

"Why not? If we do it it will be an amazing season. I think to keep the title will be difficult, even if people see us as one of the best teams with Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

"But it will be difficult this season. That's why we're here - we want to prove we are the champions and we want to keep the Premier League trophy."

John Terry Looking Forward To Seeing Youngsters In League Cup Action

Chelsea skipper John Terry has urged the youngsters on League Cup duty to grab the opportunity and increase the competition for first team places.

The Blues face Newcastle United on Wednesday night in the third round tie and manager Carlo Ancelotti has promised changes. The Italian's decision should see Patrick van Aanholt, Jeffrey Bruma, Daniel Sturridge and Gael Kakuta introduced to the fray.

Terry is sure the mix of young and old players could bolster the club's bid for silverware in all competitions.

"We have a great squad of players mixed with some very good young players who are making their mark on the team," Terry was quoted as saying by skysports.com.

"These opportunities are not only great for them but also for our youth system and credit goes to everyone working hard in the academy.

"The manager has spoken about the importance of strength in our squad this season and competition for places is always a good thing."

Michael Essien Disappointed With Milovan Rajevac's Recent Decision To Part Company With Ghana

Ghana and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has told Citi FM he was disappointing with Milovan Rajevac's decision to abandon the Black Stars job.

The midfield general, who is tipped to stage a comeback to international duty early next year, said he is confident that the Ghana FA can find a suitable successor.

“It’s very sad for me to hear that the coach has left but straight up these things happen,” the Chelsea ace said.

“I will leave everything for the FA to appoint a new coach. They will look around and choose the right person for the team.”

Asked about his recent goal scoring heroics, he said, “I have no secret; I just try to give my best when I am on the field.”

Drogba Hits Out At Chelsea's Doubters

Didier Drogba says he is in confident mood as Chelsea prepare for a potentially tough test against Manchester City.

After disposing of West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, West Ham and Blackpool with a glut of goals, Chelsea faces a more realistic assessment of their title credentials when they head to Eastlands on Saturday.

However, Chelsea won six out of six against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool last season, and Drogba is in confident mood.

Speaking at the London Soccer Dome, he told the Daily Express: "I don't think we have had an easy start. People say that because we won all our games, but those games were not easy. At Wigan we struggled in the first half but managed to turn it around.

"City will be a good test to see if we can deal with better opposition. After that it is Arsenal - another big one - so it's a crucial period.

Turnbull's Test

Ross Turnbull prepares for a first start of the season on Wednesday against the side he supported as a boy.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper grew up in Durham, and was a huge Newcastle United fan before turning professional with their local rivals Middlesbrough.

'A lot of my family were supporters too and we had season tickets when we were younger so I'll be looking forward to the game,' Turnbull said. 'Everyone likes to play against their boyhood team, so I'm looking forward to it.

'My hero was Alan Shearer up there, like everyone else! He was the legend, but they had some great keepers, Pavel Srnicek, Shaka Hislop and Shay Given so it was great to watch them.

'Family and friends have been asking if I'm playing and it's really something to anticipate. It's one I think I'll enjoy, and it's one we want to win, we want to progress in the competition and ultimately win it.'

We have a strong recent history in the Carling Cup with victories in 2005 and 2007, as well as a Final defeat to Tottenham in 2008, but we have been eliminated early in the past two seasons and it is something the squad wants to address.

In order to progress we will need to beat a Magpies side which has impressed since returning to the top flight this season.

'They seem to have done fine since they've been back up in the Premier League,' Turnbull assessed. 'I look for their results but my interest doesn't go much further than that anymore, and I'm sure they will have a good season.'

The goalkeeper's attentions have been more on his own game, and he is delighted to get the chance to impress at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, with Petr Cech rested and Hilario injured.

'I am enjoying training, I work hard with the other goalkeepers and this is a chance for me to play so hopefully I can show people what I can do. Everyone wants to play football and it's a good chance for me to play well', he said.

'I'm not sure what the manager plans to do with the Carling Cup side, last year Big Pete was rested but whether that continues I don't know, it is his decision and I'll go along with it but from a personal point of view I'd obviously like to continue if we get through.'