Drogba: Away at AFCON

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Norwich City v Chelsea

Chelsea will be desperate to cut down the gap at the top of the Premier League when they travel to Carrow Road to take on Norwich on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues currently find themselves isolated in fourth place in the standings, six points behind third-placed Tottenham and four points ahead of Arsenal in fifth.

However, the Canaries will prove no push-overs and head into this weekend’s clash on a run of two successive league victories which have hoisted Paul Lambert’s men up to ninth place.

On the team front, City will be without Richard De Laet who has returned to Manchester United from loan.

Second-choice goalkeeper Declan Rudd is also out for two months, meaning England U19 goalkeeper Jed Steer should start on the bench.

Left-back Mark Tierney could be handed a role after recovering from a groin injury, although Kyle Naughton has played well in that position and will be fighting to retain his starting XI role.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are likely to hand Gary Cahill his debut after signing the defender from Bolton this week.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas will, however, be without strike duo Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou who are both with the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations, meaning the Blues’ frazzled £50million forward Fernando Torres will start up front.