Chelsea are ready to push their appeal against FIFA's transfer ban into February - so allowing them to work the January winter market.

The Times says Chelsea are planning to put in a request to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for the instigation of provisional measures that could enable them to make signings during January's transfer window while they appeal against Fifa's 16-month ban.

Chelsea are at an early stage of putting together an appeal because they have yet to receive Fifa's complete judgment in the Gaël Kakuta controversy, but the club's lawyers have informed Stamford Bridge executives that CAS has the power to freeze Fifa's sanctions until the process is complete.

CAS guarantees a final decision within four months of the start of the appeal process, and although it offers a three-week fast-track service if it gains agreement from both parties, such a speedy resolution may not be in Chelsea's best interests.

Assuming that the appeal gets under way at the start of next month, a four-month hearing would stretch into February, which, as long as provisional measures are granted, would give Chelsea the January transfer window to replenish their squad.