Grant dealing with setbacks

Chelsea manager Avram Grant has spoken of his latest selection headache after watching another two of his players miss the next few games through suspension, while Grant insists that he will draw on all of his resources in the reserves and will not give up on chasing the teams at the top of the Premiership

The dismissals of Ashley Cole and Carvalho against Aston Villa only added to the Israeli's woes; as Didier Drogba and John Terry are out with long-term injuries.

Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini are also missing for Chelsea.

"As long as we have a chance we will do everything we can to catch Manchester United and Arsenal,' he said.

"We have character and will not give up. We will do anything to challenge them.

"This job has been a big challenge from the day I started it and I will accept this latest challenge.

"To have these players unavailable is a test for us, but we have been here already this season by playing without big names."

Chelsea are set to play untested pair Ben-Haim and Alex in defence for the next few games; and Grant is ever optimistic: "Football is always a big test when you have a bad time. It's not easy but this is the situation and we'll make the best of it.

"I'm waiting for the day when I can be like other managers and have all my players available. I think that time will come one day."