Chelsea will be without Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou for the Carling Cup semi-final first leg because of the African Cup of Nations. But Mikel John Obi could be available, Ricardo Carvalho returns after a ban, Ashley Cole is fit again and Petr Cech has an outside chance of being fit. Everton have picked Steven Pienaar, despite South Africa wanting him. Joseph Yobo hopes to be fit, while Tim Howard, Tim Cahill and Phil Neville return but Mikel Arteta is suspended. Provisional Chelsea squad: Cech, Hilario, Belletti, A Cole, J Cole, Ben-Haim, Alex, Carvalho, Bridge, Ferreira, Sidwell, Sinclair, Sahar, Wright-Phillips, Pizarro, Obi, Ballack.