Chelsea's temporary manager Roberto Di Matteo will experience his first test at the helm of the former Premier League champions following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.
The Blues travel to St Andrew's tomorrow for an FA Cup fifth-round replay against Birmingham City following their 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last month.
With John Terry still sidelined through injury, David Luiz and Gary Cahill could line up in the centre of defence with John Obi Mikel and Raul Meireles holding the midfield.
Didier Drogba could be rested for this fixture, which paves the way for Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge to partner up front.
Meanwhile, Chris Hughton could rest Marlon King for the home fixture and start Nikola Zigic, who started on the bench for the Championship side in their 2-2 draw with Derby on Saturday.
Current form:
Birmingham: WDDWLD
Chelsea: DLDLWL
Possible lineups:
Birmingham: Myhill; Caldwell, Ramage, Spector, Davies; Burke, N'Daw, Huseklepp, Townsend; Mutch, Zigic
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Bertrand; Ramires, Mikel, Meireles, Mata; Torres, Sturridge
Sports Mole says: 2-1
Danielle Joynson
