West Ham United-Chelsea Preview

Mar 11, 2010 - 8:48 PM Adam Carroll-Smith STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is targeting Premier League success to put his Africa Cup of Nations heartbreak behind him - starting with a win over local rivals West Ham on Saturday.

Drogba, who turned 32 earlier this week, was captain of the Ivory Coast as they missed out on the title in January \2013 despite being pre-tournament favourites.

Drogba said: "The African Nations Cup was disappointing for my country. We thought we had a good chance to win.

"But the disappointment of not winning the African Nations Cup meant I was happy to be back at Chelsea. It helped me concentrate on scoring again straightaway.

"It helped me concentrate on helping Chelsea. We have lot of games coming and big games too, starting with West Ham, so I don't want to bring bad luck by talking about if we will win the league.

"But I will be trying to make sure we are successful to make up for the African Nations Cup."

The Blues welcome back Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti after suspension with both expected to come straight into the side.

Portuguese right-back Jose Bosingwa has been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Russian Yuri Zhirkov could return at left back in place of Paulo Ferreira if he recovers from a calf strain.

Hilario is also expected to retain his place in goal with Petr Cech joining fellow long-term absentees Michael Essien and Ashley Cole on the sidelines.

West Ham star Valon Behrami has called on his side to bounce back from last week's 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Bolton.

Switzerland midfielder Behrami believes the Hammers need to sort out their 'mental problems' with big games to come but is backing the club to snatch an unlikely win over Chelsea.

Behrami said: "When you make technical mistakes you can work on them. You just keep working hard.

"But the problem is bigger when it is mental. It is very difficult to work on that but we will keep trying.

"Time is running short to stay in the league. We know we have to change something as the situation now is not good for us.

"We believe we can do something special but we have to all play 100 per cent - every player needs to give 100 per cent mentally and physically. That is not so easy.

"If only one player gives 80 per cent we cannot win the game. It was already hard and now it will be harder still.

"We know we face big teams and big games and no-one expects anything from us against Chelsea. But we are not going to go there already beaten because I know football can have surprises."

Gianfranco Zola is waiting on the fitness of Benni McCarthy and Danny Gabbidon, while Julian Faubert, who limped off at half-time against Bolton is also a doubt.

Zavon Hines and Luis Boa Morte remain long-term injury absentees, but Kieron Dyer is pushing hard for a rare start.