Zhirkov and Joe Cole to return for Chelsea against QPR

The Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti will soon have a headache if Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov come through unscathed after their first game of the season tonight against QPR.

Chelsea have had a flying start to the season with seven wins in a row, and now Carlo Ancelotti will have two more World class players available for selection.

Ray Wilkins , Ancelotti’s assistant said today: “We haven’t finalised the side (to face QPR) yet but Joe and Zhirkov will both start, which is good news.”

“They’ll be very important players for us as the season progresses and it’s nice to see them come back in.

“When you can’t use someone of Joe’s ability, any side would miss him. He has that bit of fantasy that can open up defences, so we have missed him.

“We’ve coped without him but we’ll have something different now he’s come back.

“Zhirkov is a very fluid footballer. He’s left-sided, a great mover and a very good footballer. He’s been out for quite a period, but if he demonstrates half of what he’s shown in training, then we’ve got a very pleasant player on our books.”

There was more good news for Chelsea regarding the injury that Didier Drogba sustained against Spurs on Sunday.

Wilkins added: “Didier went for the scan and there’s no problem with his calf – it was just the most horrendous bout of cramp.

“We thought he couldn’t release the muscle, but he’ll be able to take part at Wigan on Saturday, which is very good news.”

Good news all round for Chelsea then!