Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insists the club will not allow Demba Ba to leave after Fernando Torres suffered a knee injury on Sunday.
The Senegalese striker was being heavily linked with a January departure but after Torres hurt himself in the 3-1 win over Manchester United, Mourinho has made it clear that the club requires his services.
"Now we lose Fernando for a few weeks with something in his lateral ligament [in his knee] and that is why we have Demba in the squad," said Mourinho.
"We decided not to open the door to him [to leave] because he is a good player and we need him. The next few weeks is Demba and Samuel (Eto'o) and I hope they do well for us.
"It's time for Demba. It's a pity because Nando (Torres) is in a good moment, but it's time for Demba.
"Demba had a fantastic week; (it was) very difficult for me to leave him out of selection because he worked very, very well. Next matches is for Demba or Samuel. Let's go."
