CHELSEA are placing their hopes on Fernando Torres - starting his first league game for over a month - as they prepare for their second London derby in a week.

Torres, who has been sidelined by a three-match domestic ban since his sending off against Swansea on September 24, was rested for Blues' midweek Carling Cup victory at Everton.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas said the Wednesday-night extra time win will have given his side a boost for Saturday's lunchtime visit of Arsenal.

He said: “Although we have nothing to say about the effort we put on against Queens Park Rangers it was important to go back to winning ways and to do it in this fashion is more gratifying.

“Although the physical effort [of playing 120 minutes] is immense, the emotional benefit you gain from this is tremendous and it helps us to recover for Arsenal and to try to get back to winning ways in the Premier League."

The Blue boss added his policy of rotating his squad was of particular help in such situations: “If you see our time-sheet we have minutes spread out by everybody because we have immense talent available and we are able to distribute minutes through everybody.

“I think we are under a good logic and physically we won't have problems.”

Chelsea will be without Didier Drogba , who is serving the second game of a three-match ban for his red card at Loftus Road on Sunday.

Also missing will be Ross Turnbull, sent off during the win over Everton. Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa, banned for the Everton match, will also be back in contention for Villas-Boas' weekend squad.