Jose Mourinho says he will be with his players in spirit at Stoke on Saturday as Chelsea continue their fight to keep their manager in the job.

The Special One will serve a one-match stadium ban when the Blues head to the Britannia in a bid to get their Premier League form back on track.

Mourinho, under huge pressure following a disastrous start to the club’s domestic title defence, bought himself some time with a massive Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday.

But he can’t afford another horror show like the Liverpool display last weekend when Jurgen Klopp’s Reds stormed Stamford Bridge to take three points back to Merseyside.

The Portuguese will to watch on TV with millions of other viewers as his own fate hangs in the balance amid reports he could be facing the sack from ruthless owner Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea's dramatic win over Dynamo Kiev in pictures:

However, Mourinho seems relatively calm about the prospect of an afternoon at home in front of the box as Chelsea look to avenge their recent League Cup exit to the Potters.

Mourinho told BT Sport: “I think they know I am with them.

“I think they know I am going to prepare the team until the moment they go to the game. They know that during the game the action of a manager is not so crucial.

“I think the fact they also know the reason I’m not on the bench is important.”

Radamel Falcao has been ruled out for a number of weeks with a muscle injury but Pedro is pushing for a start after making an appearance off the bench in the 2-1 win over Kiev.

Branislav Ivanovic returned to training this week but was not deemed ready for midweek action against the men from the Ukraine.