Desailly has missed recent games due to a troublesome calf injury but was considered to be making good progress. However a late decision on his fitness prior to the trip to Stavanger in Norway, has ended with a decision to keep “the rock” safely at home. 
I’m sure a certain game at Anfield on Sunday had something to do with the decision?
Other absentees include Quique De Lucas who was on the substitutes bench against West Ham due to a knock, and suspended Mario Melchiot.
However, Graeme Le Saux and Manu Petit are both in the party of 19 to have made the trip but Claudio Ranieri has said that he will watch closely the condition of both in training this evening before deciding whether they make the starting eleven.
The squad to have made the trip is:
Ed De Goey
Winston Bogarde
Frank Lampard
Jimmy Floyd
Boudewijn Zenden
Mario Stanic
William Gallas
Graeme Le Saux
Petit
Jody Morris
Eidur Gudjohnsen
Carlo Cudicini
Gabriele Ambrosetti
Gianfranco Zoal
John Terry
Filipe Oliveira
Robert Huth
Jesper Gronkjaer
Joel Kitamirike
stevefurlong@chelsea-mad.co.uk