CHELSEA MONITOR DUO

Ballack - could miss out.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is monitoring the fitness of midfield duo Michael Ballack and Michael Essien ahead of Sunday's clash with Spurs.

The pair have been playing with knocks and the Brazilian hinted that Ballack was most likely to miss the derby clash.

Striker Didier Drogba remains unavailable because of a knee injury but has been pencilled in for a return for the Manchester City game next month.

Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton is still out with a stress fracture of his right foot.

Head coach Juande Ramos will talk to Dimitar Berbatov, who has handed in a transfer request, before deciding whether the striker will play.

Ramos has no other fresh injury worries as Spurs look for their first points of the season.

Teams:

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ivanovic, Alex, Belletti, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole, Obi, Lampard, Deco, Anelka, Malouda, Kalou, Ballack, Essien.

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Cesar, Zokora, Gunter, Bale, Assou-Ekotto, Gilberto, King, Woodgate, Dawson, Modric, Bentley, Jenas, Huddlestone, Taarabt, O'Hara, Lennon, Boateng, Dos Santos, Berbatov, Bent.