Chelsea will have revenge on their minds when they host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.

It was against the Magpies in December that the Blues lost their 21-match unbeaten run since the start of the season, courtesy of a Papiss Cisse double.

While it would be an exaggeration to say that things have unravelled since then, Jose Mourinho's men have certainly lost their air of invincibility.

A 5-3 defeat at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day left them topping the table only on alphabetical order from Manchester City and critics questioning the Special One's reluctance to rotate.

The Portuguese did make wholesale changes for their 3-0 FA Cup third-round win over Championship promotion hopefuls Watford last weekend, but is expected to revert to the usual suspects at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho has attempted to mask his side's dip in form by claiming that referees have been influenced by a "campaign" against Chelsea, and was this week charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

Meanwhile, John Carver, who is in caretaker charge at St James' Park following Alan Pardew's exit to Crystal Palace, was answering to Geordie law after fans criticised him for supposedly picking a weakened team in the FA Cup loss to Leicester City.

However, the wannabe permanent manager has insisted that his selection was forced upon him by a remarkable number of injuries and the unwillingness to risk fitness doubts after a hectic festive fixture list.

Carver remains without the likes of Siem de Jong, Daryl Janmaat, Sammy Ameobi, Gabriel Obertan, Steven Taylor and Ryan Taylor, while Cisse and Cheick Tiote have departed for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Fabricio Coloccini, Moussa Sissoko and Jack Colback could all return after being given cup duty off to allow niggles to heal. Ayoze Perez was legitimately rested and is another who will come back into the Magpies fold.

There will be a late decision on Tim Krul's ankle after the first-choice goalkeeper stepped up his recovery from a six-week layoff with 45 minutes in the reserves on Thursday.

The visitors have conceded 17 goals in six games since beating Chelsea and are 10th in the table. Jak Alnwick, who made his debut on Tyneside that day, is again on standby to deputise for Krul.

Nigeria have not qualified for the AFCON and therefore the Blues will have John Obi Mikel among their substitutes. Ramires and Mohamed Salah have been linked with exits, but should also be on the bench.

Andre Schurrle's Chelsea future also appears uncertain after he was hooked at half time for the second time in a row. The German World Cup winner is struggling to dislodge Oscar or Willian in attacking positions.

Former Newcastle loanee Loic Remy netted 14 goals on loan at the Magpies last season and continued his record of scoring on every Chelsea start with the second against Watford, but is also very much a fringe figure and will play second fiddle to Diego Costa in the capital.

Chelsea:

Form in Premier League: LWWWDL
Form in all competitions: WWWDLW

Possible starting lineup: Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Costa

Newcastle:

Form in Premier League: WLLLWD
Form in all competitions: LLLWDL

Possible starting lineup: Krul; Santon, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett; Anita, Colback; Gouffran, Cabella, Sissoko; Perez

Sports Mole says: 4-0