Football: Desailly stands by to bolster the Blues

WITH CHELSEA'S title credentials set to undergo their second examination by Manchester United within the space of a fortnight tonight, the stage is set for the return of Marcel Desailly.

The Frenchman has not played since the injury-time victory against Aston Villa on 9 December, missing four games in the meantime with a knee injury, including the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. But, with Dennis Wise suspended and Gustavo Poyet out injured for at least a couple of weeks, the timing of Desailly's expected return could hardly have been better.

A colossus at the back alongside his compatriot Franck Leboeuf, the French international signed from Milan over the summer has also played several times this season in a holding role in midfield. While Jody Morris has performed with distinction over recent weeks, the Chelsea player-manager, Gianluca Vialli, may prefer Desailly's experience and stature against United, especially given the form of Michael Duberry in defence.

Indeed, it is a measure of the strength of Chelsea's squad that just when they look to have problems in central midfield, they can call upon the services of a World Cup winner to step in. Desailly has been close to starting Chelsea's last two games before pulling out late on, so his involvement is not certain. However, the feeling persists that Vialli may have been saving him for tonight when he named his side to face Southampton on Boxing Day.

Roberto Di Matteo may also be back to partner Desailly in central midfield after missing the trip to The Dell through suspension, while the hand injury which required a minor operation should have cleared up sufficiently. Chelsea will wait until later this week for further tests on the knee injury which Poyet suffered at Southampton before giving an update on his condition, despite reports already ruling him out for six weeks.

United's doubts surround pounds 28m worth of talent forced to miss Saturday's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, with Dwight Yorke, Jaap Stam and Andy Cole all having treatment. "We will have to see how they are before making any decisions," the United manager, Alex Ferguson, said, before admitting he is looking forward to the big game.

"We have a very good record at Chelsea," he said. "It's one of our favourite grounds just as it is for Chelsea when they come to Old Trafford. It's a strange situation. It will be a smashing match and I think it has some significance for the title race in that whoever wins will be doing handstands."

Gary Neville is available after missing Saturday's win through suspension but will be out again on Sunday after collecting five bookings. He misses the FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough but could be back tonight at the expense of his brother Phil, who was right-back against Forest. Ronny Johnsen, who scored twice on Saturday, could lose his place if Stam and Neville return but Ferguson may decide to leave Johnsen in the side alongside the Dutchman.