Chelsea boss Avram Grant insists Michael Ballack has a big role in his team's future.

Ballack will make his comeback in tonight's Carling Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool and Grant said: "I've met a few players in my life who don't want to play but when you're injured you're desperate to come back.

"Ballack has improved physically in the last six weeks. He's a good player, he knows how to score and he knows how to make assists. These are the kind of players I like.

"He can play in many positions and with other good players such as Frank Lampard."

Grant is convinced Ballack will return to the team as a better player. The Chelsea manager said: 'Sometimes the first year in the Premier League is not easy for players coming in from other countries.

"I didn't think that Ballack performed too badly last year. He made his contribution to the team, he was a top player and he still is. He has that desire and has a lot of passion to play again.

"Maybe he even has more desire to play again than he did before."