Chelsea are hoping Mikel John Obi will be available to play against Everton in the Carling Cup after the Nigerian Football Association gave Ayegbeni Yakubu and Joseph Yobo permission to remain with the Merseysiders.
The Londoners eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and are scheduled to lose Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and Mikel to the African Nations Cup.
But Chelsea boss Avram Grant is hoping Nigerian midfielder Mikel will also be allowed to play in Tuesday night's semi-final.
Grant said: "If the Nigerian players play for Everton, they will for us. It will not be one club and not the other. I don't think Drogba will be available for us - I think he will go to his national team."
Striker Yakubu and defender Yobo are now set to join the Super Eagles' squad after the first leg on Tuesday night.
Drogba, who returned to action against Rangers as a second-half substitute having fully recovered from knee surgery, admitted going to the African Nations Cup was a real dilemma.
He said: "It is a difficult situation because we have a big competition coming as well as some big games with Chelsea, but I won't be here.
"It is not the best period, it is not a period I really like because it is very difficult to be away and then think about Chelsea. It is not easy."
Drogba failed to make an impact against Rangers, with Chelsea having to rely on an own goal by visiting keeper Lee Camp.
Claudio Pizarro's 20-yard shot hit an upright before rebounding into the net via Camp's back.
It was enough for Grant's side to reach the fourth round but their Coca-Cola Championship neighbours put up some stubborn resistance.
Martin Rowlands twice went close for Rangers but Chelsea's resilience and quality won the day.
Grant has been delighted with the way his squad have battled through a holiday programme with injuries and suspensions.
He said: "I am very proud of what we achieved over the busy Christmas period - taking 10 points from 12.
"It shows the strength of squad we have because many teams would have failed to perform without so many important players.
"But we continued to fight until the end of every game and that has made me proud of the staff and the players.
"I have been pleased with the way Andriy Shevchenko and Salomon Kalou have played since we lost Didier to injury.
"Both of them have shown how to score vital goals and lead this team with desire and quality."
Rangers boss Luigi De Canio was understandably pleased with the way his side had pushed Chelsea all the way.
He said: "I am very satisfied with the performance. We worked well and it just shows we are on course to grow in the way we want."
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