Team News: Michael Essien on Chelsea bench

Michael Essien has been deemed fit enough for a place on the bench for Chelsea's home match with Sunderland this afternoon.

The Ghana international has not featured for the Blues this season because of a knee ligament injury.

He will be joined by Daniel Sturridge, whose place in the starting lineup has been taken by Fernando Torres.

Wes Brown has failed a fitness test and will not play for visiting Sunderland, while David Vaughan has come into the team in place of Craig Gardner.

Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa, David Luiz, Terry, Cole; Meireles, Romeu, Lampard; Ramires, Torres, Mata

Sunderland: Mignolet; Bardsley, Richardson, O'Shea, Kilgallon; Larsson, McClean, Cattermole, Vaughan; Sessegnon, Bendtner