Champions League - Team News: Ballack returns

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All the team news ahead of the opening night of Champions League action with Michael Ballack expected to return to the Chelsea line-up for the first time this season.
  














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Group A
Chelsea v Bordeaux
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that Michael Ballack will play some part in the clash with Bordeaux after recovering form a foot injury. Striker Didier Drogba played 20 minutes in the 3-1 win over Manchester City on Saturday but will have to wait for his full comeback as he is suspended due to his red card in last year's final.
Bordeaux have doubts over the fitness of Brazilian defender Henrique, who has a bruised thigh; while Mathieu Chalme and Benoit Tremoulinas are suspended.
Roma v CFR Ecomax Cluj
Roma have had a poor start to the Serie A season but they are boosted by the return of captain Fernando Torres. First-choice goalkeeper Alexander Doni was rested with a problematic knee on Saturday, but is expected to be back. Defender Juan is still recovering from an abductor muscle injury while Philippe Mexes is doubtful with knee trouble.
Romanian debutants Cluj bring a cosmopolitan line-up to Rome. They have six Argentines, five Portuguese, three Brazilians and two Ivorians in their squad.
Group D
Marseille v Liverpool
Steven Gerrard has already declared himself fit for the clash in the south of France although Fernando Torres is still struggling with a hamstring injury despite being named as an unused sub against Manchester United. Fabio Aurelio (groin) did not travel and Javier Mascherano is doubtful after pulling up with a similar injury against United.
Mathieu Valbuena (groin) and Hatem Ben Arfa (knee) made substitute appearances for Marseille at the weekend and are contention for starting places. Tyrone Mears will be lucky to earn a place on the bench.
PSV v Atletico Madrid
PSV will be without summer signing Nordin Amrabat who is suspended while new coach Huub Stevens also lost familiar Champions League faces Jefferson Farfan and Heurelho Gomes in summer transfers.
Atletico Madrid suffered a shock defeat to Valladolid at the weekend but welcome back their first choice strike pair of Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan. Maxi Rodriguez, Mariano Pernia and Pablo are out while former Ajax man Johnny Heitinga can expect a hot reception.
Group B
Panathinaikos v Internazionale
It is a battle of two former Chelsea coaches in Athens as Henk Ten Cate's Panathinaikos take on Jose Mourinho's Inter.
Inter will be without Walter Samuel, Christian Chivu, and midfielder Dejan Stankovic, but Sulley Muntari can play despite being sent-off at the weekend as his suspension will be for domestic games only. Patrick Vieira is also close to full fitness and could be involved.
Panathinaikos will be anchored in midfield by former Arsenal man Gilberto Silva.
Bremen v Anorthosis Famagusta
Breman will be hot favourites against Cypriot new-boys Anorthosis Famagusta who are managed by former Newcastle man Temuri Ketsbaia.
The Germans have doubts over Petri Pasanen (illness) and Aaron Hunt (calf), while Per Mertesacker is fit but not 100 per cent.
Anorthosis used 10 players in all six of their Championship League qualification matches so far but they will have to make some changes in Germany. Sinisa Dobrasinovic is suspended while Giannis Skopelitis and Stefanos Voskarides are injured.
Group C
Barcelona v Sporting Lisbon
New Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will be hoping that the Champions League will provide some respite from their worst domestic start in 35 years. Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Rafael Marquez, and Thierry Henry are all expected to be picked after being left out of the starting line-up for the 1-1 draw with Racing at the weekend. New signing Alexander Hleb sprained his left ankle during that match and will be out for about four weeks.
Sporting will be confident of an upset after winning their opening two league games. They are a highly rated side especially as they managed to hang onto key players like Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho in the summer despite interest from Premier League clubs.
Basle v Shakhtar Donetsk
Swiss league leaders Basle have a doubt over Serbia midfielder Ivan Ergic with either Marcos Gelabert or John Gjasula likely to deputise.
Switzerland striker Marco Streller could also miss out as he battles back to full fitness, while suspended midfielder Behrang Safari and thigh injury victim Eren Derdiyok are definitely out.
Shakhtar have travelled to Switzerland with a full squad with Croatian international Darijo Srna their key man