Wolverhampton-Chelsea Preview

Nov 19, 2009 - 6:01 PM ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted he has no desire to leave the club to take charge of Italy and says he is firmly focused on the visit of Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Ancelotti has been linked with replacing Marcelo Lippi, who is expected to return to Juventus.

Italian Ancelotti, who only took charge at Stamford Bridge in the summer, says he is loving life in England and has no wish to return to his homeland.

The former AC Milan boss said: "I have a three-year contract and I love everything about the club, their fans and English football.

"The results, also, aren't bad; in the Premier League we've won 10 out of 12 and three out of four in the Champions League.

"Even at the dining table I haven't had any problems. I am captivated by English cuisine and especially with breakfast. I have become a fan of bacon."

Chelsea will be without talismanic midfielder Frank Lampard after the England international contracted a thigh strain travelling to last weekend's friendly with Brazil in Doha.

Lampard will be out for between three and four weeks and will also miss the Blues' crunch Premier League clash away at Arsenal later in the month.

Chelsea could also be without Didier Drogba, John Terry, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole, who are all carrying knocks.

Wolves winger David Edwards says he is disappointed he will not get the chance to face Lampard after describing him as the best player in the world.

Edwards said: "Personally I want to play against the top players and would have liked to test myself against Frank.

"Lampard is probably the best in the world at arriving late from midfield and scoring goals.

"He's a player I've always admired; he and Steven Gerrard are the best two British players at getting in the box and scoring goals.

"I do watch a lot of his play and see how he makes his runs because he always seems to come in during the second phase for the knockdowns and does it ever so well."

Wolves have not won at Stamford Bridge for 30 years and manager Mick McCarthy has admitted his team face an uphill battle to end that run, despite the home side's lengthy injury list.

McCarthy said: "If we keep scraping and fighting we have a chance of getting out of the relegation zone.

I'm not saying we will be in the bottom three on Saturday but the odds are against us.

"I'm focusing on getting points against the three big games coming up against Burnley, Bolton and Birmingham.

"If we stay together and be calm about things, don't have a knee-jerk reaction and panic we'll be okay."

Except for long term absentee Chris Iwelumo Wolves have a fully fit side and defender George Elekobi is set to return after being rested for the 4-1 hammering at home to Arsenal two weeks ago.