Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack give Chelsea a new fitness boost

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Ballack's knee injury and Drogba's rib problem meant they were both unable to play for Germany and Ivory Coast respectively during the international break.

There were fears they could miss some crucial games but they will be given fitness tests today to see if they can play against Mick McCarthy's side at Stamford Bridge.

Even if they are not cleared to play they should be fit in time for the Champions League against Porto on Wednesday or the following weekend's match with Arsenal.

It means Chelsea's injury crisis has eased, with only Frank Lampard (thigh) and Jose Bosingwa (knee) definitely on the sidelines.

Deco has revealed his inspirational form this season has been driven by his determination not to be remembered at Chelsea for the wrong reasons.

The Portugal international struggled last term after joining from Barcelona and seemed set to leave in the summer. But new coach Carlo Ancelotti convinced him to stay and he has been fighting to improve his reputation at the club ever since.

He said: "I didn't want to be a player whose signing was seen as a mistake. I didn't want to go down in Chelsea's history like that, with a real black mark in my career.

"I went to the new coach in the summer and talked to him and he told me what he expected from me.

"He thought I still had the ability to play and that I was an important player. He had known about me for a number of years and that he was counting on me staying in the team.

"It was enough for me to feel reinvigorated and feel I still had time to do what I wanted over here, which is to be able to play, feel good and achieve important things."

Meanwhile, Wolves defender Jody Craddock says tomorrow's game gives his team the chance to show they have got what it takes to survive in the Premier League.

Wolves were thumped 4-1 by Arsenal in their last game but Craddock said: "We've got a good bunch of lads and a young, hardworking team. We know it's not going to be easy but we've got enough to see us through."