Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez is set recall defensive pair Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole from their respective injury lay-offs.

Cahill hasn't featured since undergoing knee surgery in early April while Cole has been sidelined since the FA Cup quarter-final win against Manchester United.

The Blues' midweek win at Fulham took them into third in the Premier League and the club's Champions League qualification hopes have been further boosted by the return to fitness of both Cahill and Cole.

Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole
Cahill and Cole have both returned to training.

"Good news we have had Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole training today, as has Marko Marin who didn't train the other day," Benitez confirmed.

"I think that apart from [Oriol] Romeu the rest of the squad is fit. It is too early but we will see tomorrow with another training session and after we will decide."

Benitez returns to Anfield to face former side Liverpool for the first time since leaving the Merseysiders in 2010, a six-year spell which yielded the Champions League and the FA Cup.

A series of donations to the Hillsborough for Justice campaign is evidence of the Spaniard's continued attachment with the club since his departure, while his family live in the Liverpool area.

But despite his emotional connection with The Reds, Benitez has dismissed the notion that sentimentality may play a part come kick-off on Sunday.

"I am committed with Chelsea until the end of the season to achieve our targets," Benitez maintained. "I will try to win.

"The past, the Liverpool fans who have been there for six years, we have been through a lot of things together but at the same time they will try to support their team and they will understand that I have to do my best and win.

"I have a lot of respect for Liverpool football club and all the managers. I don't want any misunderstanding so I prefer not to speak about the manger, or the position of the manager and I will talk about the game.

"It will be a top game, Liverpool is a team who are creating chances in every game but we will have to show that we are strong in defence and at the same time we need to score goals.

"Liverpool is my home, my family is living there and because I don't want any misunderstanding I don't want to talk about their position, their manager's position. My family is there so it is my home.

"I have a lot of friends and a lot of good memories; some will be quiet emotional. They know me and everyone so we will try to concentrate on the game and do my best for 90 minutes.

"Every game until the end of the season will be important so if we can continue in our games we will be in the driving seat [for Champions League qualification]."

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