Rafael Benitez has chosen Demba Ba to lead the Chelsea line ahead of Fernando Torres for Chelsea's trip to Stoke City this afternoon.

It is the first time the £7m signing from Newcastle United has started a league game for the Blues, but he did net a debut double in their FA Cup win at Southampton last weekend.

Petr Cech has recovered from a thigh concern to dislodge Ross Turnbull in goal, while John Terry continues his injury rehabilitation with a place on the Chelsea bench.

Gary Cahill is absent for the visitors, which means David Luiz is forced to drop back to centre-back after recently starring in a midfield.

Ramires replaces his compatriot in the holding role and there is a surprise start for Ryan Bertrand on the left wing.

Stoke continue with the same back four that boasts the tightest home defence in the Premier League, but make one change to the side that went down to Manchester City in their last top-flight meeting.

Potters manager Tony Pulis recalls Matthew Etherington in place of Cameron Jerome and again prefers Kenwyne Jones to Peter Crouch up front.

Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Ivanovic, Cole; Lampard, Ramires; Hazard, Mata, Bertrand; Ba

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson; Walters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Etherington; Adam; Jones