Chelsea-Burnley F.C. Preview

Jan 28, 2010 - 5:43 PM NEIL RICHARDS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Chelsea welcome back leading scorer Didier Drogba for the visit to Burnley on Saturday as they look to increase their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Drogba and strike partner Salomon Kalou are available after Ivory Coast were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations, which is another huge boost to a side that is already brimming with confidence.

Many people had tipped them to struggle without their 14-goal hitman for the best part of a month, but the Blues have responded in emphatic style, scoring 17 goals in four games without Drogba and regaining top spot after a 3-0 win over Birmingham on Wednesday.

"I want to thank my players who did a fantastic job without the African players," Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said. "We could have had some problems without the African players, but we did very well. They did a fantastic January."

Ancelotti pledged that his side would continue to attack with Drogba back in the fold and said they could be even more dangerous.

"I think we need to have Drogba because he's a fantastic player and, with him, we can play the same football.

"Our philosophy and aims won't change - to play good football and win. We won't change. We'll maintain the same system.

"I'm happy Drogba will be here with us. He had a fantastic start to the season and will be very important for us in the future."

Chelsea can open up a four-point lead with nearest rivals Manchester United and Arsenal facing off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

But they would do well not to underestimate their Lancashire opponents, who have been beaten only once at home this season and who include a victory over champions United among their scalps at Turf Moor.

The Clarets dropped into the relegation zone after a 1-0 defeat at Bolton, the new home of former manager Owen Coyle, on Tuesday.

That was the third straight reverse under new boss Brian Laws, who has moved quickly this week to reinforce his squad.

Laws signed experienced defender Leon Cort from Stoke and former Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, who had been with Dundee United.

He has also triggered a clause that should allow him to extend the loan of striker David Nugent, but must get written confirmation from parent club Portsmouth before the player is allowed to face Chelsea.

Laws is also able to call upon Andre Bikey, who is available again after representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The big central defender's return could not have come at a better time with influential captain Graham Alexander (calf) and Chris McCann (knee) struggling to be fit for Chelsea's visit.

Both were injured in the first 15 minutes against Bolton and had to be substituted.

Laws told Burnley's official website: "We are due to assess the injuries to Graham and Chris. But the good thing is we have got Andre back from international duty, so that is a plus.

"I spoke to him on the phone, so we know he will be here for the weekend. That is great news because we need all the quality we can at this time."

Laws is trying to remain upbeat, which must be difficult considering he was sacked from his last job in December with Sheffield Wednesday mired in a ten-match winless run.

He added: "You've got to be positive and I am a positive person. I expect the players to be the same and they will.

"And I know the supporters will be patient with the players. Their dreams lie in the hands of us as management and the players and we will do everything in our power to keep that dream alive. There will be a win round the corner."

Chelsea won the first meeting between these sides 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Aug. 29, but Burnley came out on top by the same scoreline in their last meeting at Turf Moor in the old second division back in April 1983.