Didier Drogba has been given the all-clear to resume training on Thursday after being carried off against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday with a calf injury. The Ivorian is set to figure in the squad for the trip to Wigan Athletic at the weekend, after a scan revealed there was no serious damage to his calf.

However, he will not be included for tomorrow night's game against Queens Park Rangers in the Carling Cup, as Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti looks to blood some fringe and academy players. "Didier had a scan and there's no problem with his calf," confirmed assistant manager Ray Wilkins.

"It was just the most horrendous bout of cramp. We thought he couldn't release the muscle and it might be something more nasty but he'll be able to take part on Saturday. It is very good news for us."

Wilkins also confirmed academy players Sam Hutchinson, Fabio Borini and Jeffrey Bruma will be in the squad, and Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov will be in the startling line-up against Rangers. "We haven't finalised the side yet but Joe Cole and Zhirkov will both start, which is good news," he said. "They'll be very important players for us as the season progresses.

"It's nice to see them come back in. When you can't use someone of Joe's ability, any side would miss him. He has that bit of fantasy that can open up defences, so we have missed him. But we've coped without him and now we'll have something different now he's come back.

"Zhirkov is a very fluid footballer. He's been out for quite a period but, if he demonstrates half of what he's shown in training, then we've got a very pleasant player on our books.

"The youngsters are all players who have impressed Carlo since he's been here. This gives us an opportunity to bring these players in and use them later in the season. If we progress, hopefully we'll be able to use them in the Carling Cup."