FIFA have told Chelsea they CANNOT recall any loan players as part of their transfer ban.

It is another body blow for the English club who were banned from signing any new players during the next two transfer windows when FIFA found them guilty of inducing teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens two years ago.

Although the Blues intend to appeal against the punishment, coach Carlo Ancelotti was hoping to minimise the damage by recalling England Under-21 defender Michael Mancienne from Wolves, forward Scott Sinclair from Wigan and Argentinian striker Franco di Santo from Blackburn.

Di Santo can return, as his agreement was only for half the season. But Sinclair's was for the full season and in Mancienne's case, FIFA will have to rule on whether an "emergency release clause" can be applied.

"If it's a season-long loan, it cannot be terminated in order to bring players back," said a FIFA spokesman.