Chelsea will have full-back Ashley Cole available following suspension for the New Year's Day trip to west London neighbours Fulham.

However, centre-back Ricardo Carvalho must continue to serve a suspension following his red card against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Manager Avram Grant does not expect striker Andriy Shevchenko (leg) to return against the Cottagers, while captain John Terry (foot), goalkeepers Petr Cech (hip) and Carlo Cudicini (rib) as well as midfielder Frank Lampard (thigh) are also still out.

Striker Didier Drogba (knee), Claude Makelele (ear) and Florent Malouda (knee) also continue their rehabilitation.

New Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will be without defender Aaron Hughes (calf).

Defender Moritz Volz returns from a one-match suspension but winger Hameur Bouazza is banned after his red card at Birmingham on Saturday.

Jimmy Bullard (knee), Brian McBride (knee) and Lee Cook (knee) remain in the treatment room but although defender Philippe Christanval is back in training after more than a year out with a knee injury he is unlikely to feature.

Teams

Fulham (from): Niemi, Volz, Stefanovic, Bocanegra, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Davis, Dempsey, Healy, Kuqi, Warner, Kamara, Leijer, Omozusi, Smertin, Seol, Christanval.

Chelsea (from): Hilario, Belletti, Alex, Ben-Haim, Bridge, Essien, Mikel, Ballack, Sinclair, Wright-Phillips, Sidwell, J Cole, Pizarro, Kalou, Taylor, Ferreira, A Cole.