Chelsea are confident Didier Drogba will be fit for their Champions League return-leg clash at Barcelona.

The Observer says Chelsea expect to be bolstered by the return of Drogba for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final in Barcelona on Tuesday night despite the Ivorian still being troubled by a knee injury sustained during last week's narrow victory over the holders.

Drogba, whose goal at Stamford Bridge supplied the lead to which Chelsea will cling at Camp Nou, missed yesterday's goalless draw at Arsenal while he underwent treatment at the club's Cobham training centre. The 34-year-old will be assessed again on Sunday but, while the interim first-team coach, Roberto Di Matteo, was publicly cautious of his chances of featuring in the return, there is private confidence that the striker will be fit to lead the line in Barcelona.