Chelsea have been handed the good news that three of their African stars will be able to play in Monday's derby with Fulham. After Boxing Day's goalless draw at Birmingham, boss Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Ivory Coast strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou and Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel would all be available for the game.

The Blues have reached an agreement with their respective national teams ahead of next month's African Nations Cup.

The players had been expected to fly out on Sunday to link up with their countries for a training camp ahead of the tournament, which gets under way on January 10.