Jose Mourinho confirmed that the inspirational skipper will fill his regualr centre-back berth against the Scousers in the first major test of the Premier League season for the Blues.
Following last night's 2-1 away win against Reading, Mourinho said: "John trained on Wednesday with no limitations,
"He trained perfectly for one-and-a half hours with the reserves in a competitive situation and the answer was very good.
"Maybe he could have played tonight but I decided to protect him. But he is ready for the weekend and Steve McClaren can drink some champagne tonight after this information.
"Of course I want to have every player and all options available to me. I think I am going to lose Ricardo Carvalho for a while but at the same time John is back.
"You lose a central defender but you win another central defender. Also Tal Ben-Haim is playing very well and is quite confident."
"Of course I want to have every player and all options available to me. I think I am going to lose Ricardo Carvalho for a while but at the same time John is back.
"You lose a central defender but you win another central defender. Also Tal Ben-Haim is playing very well and is quite confident."