Chelsea V QPR : The Return of Joe Cole?

So tonight we take on local rivals QPR in the Carling Cup in a competition that many make us favourites for this season. There is no doubt that the team that take to the field tomorrow will be a lot different to the side that started against Spurs at the weekend but most importantly of all it could and should be the return of Joe Cole!.

Joe has been out of the game and the team since he was injured in the FA Cup game at Southend last season and you could say has been itching to get back involved and tomorrow is the ideal opportunity. With Chelsea already stating that they will be resting players and possibly playing some of the youngsters it will be Joe's opportunity to show Carlo Ancelotti what he can do.

Joe has always said about his favourite position being behind or just off the front man or front two and with the 4-diamond-2 formation we have adopted under Ancelotti, he could be the link we have been looking for. Lampard doesn't seen to be as effective in my eyes just behind the forwards at the point of the diamond and Deco has shone there against Sunderland in particular so the door is wide open for Joe tonight.

It will be interesting to see how long he does play. Being a local derby and a game thats always contested 100% the worry is that someone will "put one on him early" and it will be important to see how he comes through something like that. But Joe Cole is Joe Cole and if anyone can dribble past an on rushing defender then its him!

In a quote taken from the Independant online this morning:

Ancelotti's assistant Ray Wilkins revealed yesterday Cole is itching to play in Chelsea's new-look narrower midfield. Wilkins said: "He calls it the 'sausage roll'. 'Am I going to play in the sausage roll – in the hole?' That's Joe. But it's nice to see he's bubbling. He's firing at the moment. It could be perfect for him. The system Carlo is playing now, Joe understands we're not playing with wide players at the moment. We're playing 'inside'. I think he'll be thrilled about that."

So it looks as though the scene is set tonight and let's hope he gets through the game ok. But what about the rest of the side? Well Fabio Borini was given a taste of the Premier League and will no doubt feature again tomorrow night. But who else will make the grade come kick off? I am not too sure that too many will. Will JT or Lamps start tomorrow (who never like to rested or miss out on a game) or be rested? Will Chelsea use the remainder of the squad who haven't had a look in especially Daniel Sturridge fresh from a hat trick in the reserves last week?.

QPR will be up for the game and will be looking to cause an upset. There is no place for nerves tomorrow night if the youngsters do play. QPR are always waiting for games like this, even their players let alone their fans and let's hope that the fireworks remain on the pitch! Yeah right!

Tomorrow we will see just how serious Ancelotti is taking the competition, let's hope that he soon realises that we can't afford to slip up against QPR as for some this is just as big a game as Spurs!