Portsmouth (from): James; Johnson, Pamarot, Distin, Hreidarsson, Davis, Diarra, Hughes, Pedro Mendes, Kranjcar, Baros, Defoe, Benjani, Diop, Mvuemba, Lauren, Aubey, Wilson, Begovic.

Jermain Defoe is expected to make his Portsmouth debut but Benjani Mwaruwari could also figure after the apparent collapse of his move to Manchester City. Premier League officials are examining the details of the Zimbabwean's proposed switch. Centre-back Sylvain Distin is almost certain to miss his first game since arriving at Fratton Park from City in the summer. He damaged a hamstring in the midweek defeat at Manchester United and Noe Pamarot will revert to the centre of defence with Hermann Hreidarsson recalled to the starting line-up. Another new signing, on-loan Milan Baros, is also looking for his home debut in attack as David Nugent begins his recovery from a hernia operation. Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop may be available after Senegal were knocked out of the African Nations Cup in midweek but is unlikely to start.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Alex, Ben-Haim, Ivanovic, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole, Wright-Phillips, Sidwell, Ballack, Pizarro, Lampard, Anelka, Malouda, Sinclair, Makelele.

Midfielder Frank Lampard has an outside chance of returning to the Chelsea squad for their trip to Portsmouth. Lampard is back in training but is still not match fit and coach Avram Grant may hand him a place on the substitutes' bench as Chelsea search for a record-breaking 10th straight win at Fratton Park. Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien, Mikel John Obi and Didier Drogba are all still away on international duty in the African Nations Cup while John Terry is out with a fractured foot. Andriy Shevchenko (back) is also expected to miss out while Ricardo Carvalho serves a one-match ban for collecting five bookings.