Ashley Cole will return to the Chelsea starting line-up for the visit of Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday.

The England left-back has not featured for the Blues since the defeat at Newcastle United at the start of November.

César Azpilicueta was installed in Cole’s full-back berth and had been impressed in the absence of the former Arsenal star.

Jose Mourinho will has promised to make changes for the Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge and confirmed Cole will regain his place.

“I don’t want to call it rotation because normally when you say that it seems like your options are weak," Mourinho said.

"That is not the case. I’m not going to play the same team I played in the last match. We have lots of matches. I need some players to have a rest.

“I’m going to give a couple of players a rest, maybe three of them. We have lots of options in certain positions.”

David Luiz, who is also yet to feature since the Magpies loss last month, could also return after struggling with a bruised kneecap picked up on international duty with Brazil.

Chelsea qualified for the knockout phase despite losing to Basel last month and only need a point against Steaua to finish top of the group.