REFRESHED FOR ST ANDREWS TEST

The Chelsea players embarked on their journey to Birmingham on Friday afternoon, recharged by a clear week without a game according to Avram Grant.

For the first time since the opening week in December, the first team coach/manager has been able to prescribe pure rest and training over the last seven days. The squad is now ready for the challenge of taking three important points from a Birmingham side recently under new management.

'The week has been useful for the players because there has been a lot of pressure on a very small group of players,' said Grant.

'They needed to play many games and we play at a high tempo, so it was good for them to take a few days off and then we could make training more intensive than it has been,' he added.

Although he has lost four players to Africa, Grant was able to add Nicolas Anelka plus fit again Petr Cech and Claude Makelele to his squad for the last game.

'We still miss a lot of players even now,' he emphasises however.

'This is the reason we need to respect what these players are doing. There is a lot of pressure on them, especially physically, and they did well. All the players who have come back from injury have done well also.'

There is a new-look to Saturday's opponents who not only changed their manager from Steve Bruce to Alex McLeish in November, they like us have made two transfer window signings - full-back David Murphy from Hibs and winger James McFadden from our Carling Cup opponents Everton.

Grant plays down the effect these switches have on his planning.

'We play tactically of course but first we are thinking about our team and how we play. Of course we know how Birmingham play and their tactics.

'They drew at Arsenal, they only just lost by one goal at Man United this month, and even against us at Stamford Bridge, they only lost 3-2 - so it will be a tough game.'

Birmingham also took a point away from Anfield back in September and although they lie 16th in the table, are unbeaten in three games at St Andrews under McLeish.

Chelsea's last game outside London was at Blackburn before Christmas. Since Grant took the reins, the team has won six of its eight league matches away from home, the two defeats coming against the top two.

'We also play with good performances at home now,' he says. 'Before we had a problem because other teams came to defend and as always, everybody plays against Chelsea with high spirit. But I hope we will continue away from home like this because we need to continue to get good results.

'It will be difficult in Birmingham's home because they are not a team that is easy to beat.'

Grant will give more thoughts ahead of the reverse of the opening day's fixture during Chelsea TV's Big Match Countdown from 6pm.