Chelsea will be without Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic for this afternoon’s trip to Southampton, as the pair both picked up injuries in Sunday’s win over Liverpool.

David Luiz will also miss the game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at the weekend, though fellow Brazil international Ramires returns after serving a one match ban.

Chelsea ran out 3-1 winners when the sides met at Stamford Bridge a month ago, with Gary Cahill, John Terry and Demba Ba scoring the goals after Jay Rodriguez had given the Saints the lead in the first minute.

The Blues could end the day in first place if they win, and Arsenal and Manchester City fail to win against Cardiff City and Swansea City respectively.

Elsewhere, the club have completed the signing of Burkina Faso midfielder Bertrand Traore, according to BBC Sport.

A deal was agreed for the eighteen year old back in October after he had impressed as a trialist, scoring three goals in the Blues preseason tour of Asia.

Traore made his international debut at just 15, and was part of the Burkina Faso squad for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, where he made one appearance as a substitute.