Blues wait for Mikel green light

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The Londoners, who scraped into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over QPR on Saturday, are set to lose Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and Mikel to the African Cup of Nations.

Chelsea are hopeful Mikel (left) will be available for the Carling Cup semi-final first leg

Blues boss Avram 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 - he will go to his national team."

Drogba, who returned to action against the hoops as a second-half substitute having recovered from knee surgery, admitted taking time out to play for the Ivory Coast was a real dilemma, saying: "It is a difficult situation because we have a big competition coming as well as some big games with Chelsea.

"It is very difficult to be away and then think about Chelsea. It is not easy."