Villa was a game too early - Cech

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The Czech keeper, who let a shot from Shaun Maloney slip through his hands, said: "We took a little bit of a risk at Villa. At the end of the game the injury was worse and they didn't allow me to play again. Since then I have been sidelined."

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He added: "Hopefully I am on my way back. If nothing changes, I should join the team on Thursday and I hope I will stay there on the pitch as long as I can.

"It was quite a long time I was injured with first my calf and then I played only a few games and I was injured again - so I hope I stay fit in the new year."

Despite the absence several key players, as well as Cech, Chelsea have secured four straight wins since the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Avram Grant, though, could well head into the Spurs game with the possibility of Claudio Pizarro being their only fit senior striker. Ivory Coast duo Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are on international duty at the African Nations' Cup, and Andriy Shevchenko is still sidelined with a leg injury.

Israeli youngster Ben Sahar, who Was on the bench against Everton in midweek, could come into contention.

The Chelsea boss remains, however, keen to land Bolton's Nicolas Anelka.

Wanderers are said to be holding out for £15million to allow the former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker to leave, with Chelsea having their first bid, believed to be £11million, rejected earlier in the week.

Anelka's advisor Doug Pingisi claims his client has sights set on Stamford Bridge.

"He really wants to go to Chelsea," Pingisi said in French daily newspaper L'Equipe.

"Nicolas is calm. He hopes that everything will be finalised this week.

"He has been waiting for such an opportunity for years. He appreciates the fact that he is at the top of the list of players wanted by Chelsea at the moment.

"For Nico, it is very important he finds a club that will allow him to express himself at the highest level.

"Moreover, this club is still involved in every competition, particularly the Champions League."

With England duo John Terry and Frank Lampard both sidelined, Germany midfielder Michael Ballack has emerged into a leading role since his return to fitness from ankle surgery.

The 31-year-old netted the winner in the west London derby at Fulham and played another full 90 minutes in Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Everton.

Germany coach Joachim Low feels Ballack has benefited from his spell in England.

"He has this incredible determination to fight. He learnt at Chelsea to involve himself in the battle and to play at such a high rhythm," Low told German newspaper Bild.

"He is going to help the German team to continue their development."