Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he doesn't need to buy to cover his African Nations Cup players because their January schedule isn't as busy as expected.

Chelsea will be without Didier Drogba, John Mikel Obi, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou, who are on international duty at the African Nations Cup.

Losing four players is frustrating for Ancelotti but he would not be put off signing another African player in the future.

He said: "I think that when they have to play for their national team, it's not a problem. It's like the European players.

"Every top player can go to the national team. It's not a problem for the Africans. It'll be a great opportunity for the young players now to show their quality. I hope they will do a very good job because I trust in these players."

Ancelotti has also been helped by the fact Chelsea play Watford, Hull, Sunderland, Birmingham and Burnley during January, rather than their Barclays Premier League title rivals.

"In January we have a possibility to work every week without matches (in midweek)," he added.

"We have a possibility to improve our condition because, in December, we didn't have that opportunity to train.

"For this, I think we lost some physical condition. We had some injuries but I think that, in January, it will be better."