Chelsea boss Avram Grant is ready to spend big in January.

He declared yesterday: "If the injuries continue to mount up like this, we will need to buy more players in the transfer window than we originally thought.

"I have spoken with the owner and he is aware of the situation and knows what we need to do. Since I have been manager I have never had a single day when all my squad has been available to play. I dream of that day happening but I don't know when it will be.

"We need to find a solution to our problems but it will not be easy.

"We need to get players who are of the right quality for Chelsea and it would also be an advantage if they were available to play in the Champions League.

"And, of course, there is an added problem when Chelsea are involved.

"I can guarantee that when we are interested in any player, their price will suddenly be a lot more than we expected. But what can I do about that? I will pay whatever we have to pay."

Grant denied suggestions he was getting backing his predecessor Jose Mourinho was denied in the summer.

The Israeli claimed: "I think there was money to spend in the last transfer window. It was just that Chelsea didn't want to spend £4million for a player with a few months left on his contract."