England braced for African departures

Chelsea hit
Arsène Wenger will at least be able to call on Emmanuel Adebayor after a 2-0 defeat by Mali in September meant Togo failed to qualify. Wenger's gain will be Rafael Benítez's loss as Liverpool FC's Malian midfielder Mohamed Sissoko should be on duty with the likes of Sevilla FC striker Frédéric Kanouté and Real Madrid CF's Mahamadou Diarra. Yet it is Chelsea that could be hit hardest. Avram Grant's charges have won six of their last eight Premier League outings, but could struggle to continue that fine run with Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel, Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba missing for as many as seven matches in all competitions. That includes the 10 February meeting with Liverpool should any of those players reach the final.