So Chelsea have lost Nicolas Anelka for three weeks with a toe injury. The striker will sit out Chelsea’s next Premier League fixture at Newcastle, the first leg of the Champions League Quarter Final with Liverpool and probably the home fixture with Bolton. He is being pencilled in for a return for the second leg of the Liverpool tie.

This latest setback gives Hiddink very few options for rotation around the European tie with Liverpool. Deco is due a return from a thigh injury during the international break, so he will provide an alternative on the right, however, Hiddink is likely to have to turn to Quaresma, Malouda or perhaps Kalou to fill the void left by Anelka.

Kalou would offer the most potential for fantasy managers. As a natural forward, classed as a midfielder in several fantasy games, (including the FPL 8.4) he appears to have some goal potential. There are two factors that cast doubt over all this however…

Firstly Hiddink doesn’t appear to fancy Kalou. He started the first three league games under the new regime but was subbed at half-time in the Coventry FA Cup tie and hasn’t appeared from the bench in the three matches that have followed.

Secondly, Chelsea have scored just five goals in the last seven league games. Will the absence of Anelka and the addition of Kalou help their cause? It seems unlikely. With Essien available in the same price bracket as Kalou, I for one can’t see too much movement towards Kalou as a result of Anelka’s absence. The potential is there but the risk seems greater.