Chelsea are ready to give Romelu Lukaku an extended first team run in the New Year.

Lukaku in the New Year as they want him as cover during the African Nations Cup.

The Belgian striker, 18, has hardly played since a £20million move in August from Anderlecht.

But with Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou off to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea after Christmas Lukaku may get his chance.