Chelsea travel to Blackburn for their Carling Cup quarter-final with both sides looking to move a step closer to Wembley.

The Blues are in a rich vein of form with the Premier League leaders unbeaten in nine games, while Rovers have failed to score in their last two outings.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make a number of changes to his side for the trip to Ewood Park.

Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are all likely to be rested as Ancelotti gives some of his fringe players a chance to impress.

Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou, Yuri Zhirkov, Deco and Juliano Belletti are all set to be handed starting role.

Exciting teenager Gael Kakuta is likely to be involved at some stage, but Daniel Sturridge (knee), Alex (hip) and Jose Bosingwa (knee) are all missing because of injury.

Ashley Cole is set to be named in the squad after shaking off a hamstring problem picked up during last weekend's win over Arsenal.

Blackburn will again be under the stewardship of Neil McDonald as Sam Allardyce continues his recovery from heart surgery.

Rovers are without top scorer David Dunn after he picked up a calf problem in the weekend draw with Stoke.

Keith Andrews faces a late fitness test after also suffering a calf injury in the same game.

Franco Di Santo is ineligible to play against his parent club meaning Jason Roberts is set to start in attack.