Chelsea will be without captain John Terry, Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun for the Zilina game and Yury Zhirkov is a doubt with a calf problem. There is uncertainty over defender Alex's possible participation as he requires knee surgery despite declaring himself fit to play and striker Didier Drogba has only just shaken off a dose of malaria. Chelsea were stunned by a 3-0 home loss to Sunderland in the Premier League last week and want to make sure there is no repeat against Zilina at the Bridge. "We are missing players but it is not a problem," said Malouda. "When you play for Chelsea and lose the way we've lost at home, you expect a reaction from our players. "We have to analyse what was wrong against Sunderland but I think everybody did it already. Sunday stayed in the mind, the way we lost, you must think about it and I think that's what everybody did. Now we have to correct things." Malouda also believes Terry should take his time before returning. Terry has a nerve problem in his right thigh that has troubled him all season and he underwent treatment with a Milan specialist in Italy last week. Malouda is worried Terry could risk further damage by rushing his return. "I know it's a difficult moment for him because when he's injured, he always wants to be on the pitch because he's the skipper," added Malouda. "But maybe this is the moment for him to take time to really recover from these injuries and come back stronger." MSK Zilina have lost all their Group F games so far, including a 4-1 home drubbing by Chelsea, and a record-breaking 7-0 defeat by Marseille in Slovakia on matchday four. The latter thrashing was only the second time a team has conceded six or more goals at home in the UEFA Champions League, following Brondby's 6-2 loss to Manchester United FC in 1998/99. Chelsea could also ask Alex to play against Zilina before sending him to Brazil for knee surgery although that is unlikely with midfielder Michael Essien available to play despite a domestic suspension. Chelsea require just a point against the Group F whipping boys to be sure of finishing in the all-important top spot. Alex postponed surgery in order to start Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against Birmingham but Essien, currently serving a three-math domestic ban, can also play at the heart of the defence. "I need surgery, and maybe I will go to Brazil and do the operation on Thursday." said Alex. "Arthroscopic surgery is easy to do. We have too many players injured, so I said to the coach I can play (against Birmingham). I am not 100% fit. "I have to say 'thank you' to the medical staff, they always help me so much and call me, give me treatment or help me in the gym and swimming pool, and it helps so much."
