Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will not recall defender Alex despite mounting injury concerns.
David Luiz is in a race to be fit ahead of the Boxing Day clash against Fulham, with Branislav Ivanovic also a doubt after sustaining an injury in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
Villas-Boas has maintained that he will not bring Alex back into the fray, however, with the centre-back almost certain to move on in the January transfer window after handing in a transfer request and being forced to train away from the first team.
"We accepted a transfer request (from Alex) in anticipation of the market and we are not stupid people," Villas-Boas told reporters.
"We do not accept a transfer request and put people training apart and then dial 999 and ask for help."
"We will stick to our principles and our values for the decision we felt was good for the club.".
"That was the decision we felt sensible, and we will stick to it. Alex is extremely professional and has personal ambitions, which is why we accepted his request."
"But we want everybody on the same tune regarding training, commitment, concentration and immediate club objectives."
Jose Bosingwa filled in at centre-back against Tottenham, with Paulo Ferreira featuring for the first time this season in the league at right-back.
"This was a fantastic adaptation and another solution that we have in the squad," Villas-Boas said.
"Hopefully, David can return for contention for the game against Fulham."
"But, if not, from Oriol (Romeu) to Bosingwa, both can play in that position - and Paulo has done it in the past."
A central defender, however, is a priority for Villas-Boas ahead of the January transfer window, with Bolton Wanderers' Gary Cahill expected to complete a move to Stamford Bridge.
"He is extremely interesting, a player of course that terminates his contract (at the end of the season)," Villas-Boas said.
"But we would be stupid if we shortened our targets just to one."
"I think you know that we will be in the market for a centre-half. It's pretty obvious based on the fact that we've accepted Alex's transfer request."
"We'll have to let the market open and then find out what happens regarding Alex."
"We will have to respond quickly in the market, not because of the urgency but because we're willing to fill that position with one more central defender."