Branislav Ivanovic: Will travel to Stoke

Ivanovic (hamstring) is in good condition and in the squad for Chelsea's match against Stoke.

Analysis:

This will be Ivanovic's first match since sustaining an injury while playing for his native Serbia in October. The 31-year-old right back has worn the armband three times this season when John Terry hasn't been included in the side, but Ivanovic and the whole Chelsea defense has been shaky at best and porous at worst. His return should help steady the back-four as it would allow Kurt Zouma to move to his more traditional center back role.