PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic expected to be fit for Chelsea Champions League tie

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc says striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on course to play in the Champions League last 16 second leg tie against Chelsea having served his two-match domestic suspension.

Ibrahimovic was banned for two games by the French football authorities for a late challenge on Saint-Etienne player Romain Hamouma on 25 January, an incident that was initially only punished with a yellow card.

The Sweden international missed the league and cup double-header against Monaco and now available again, he will use the league visit of Lens to recapture full fitness ahead of the trip to Chelsea on 11 March.

"He is ready," Blanc explained. "We have had him working while he was out suspended and he has had a good break, which he needed. Now he needs to play and the match against Lens is a good thing for him as it will give him a taste of competition before Chelsea."

PSG must score in the second leg at Stamford Bridge after a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes on 17 February, with Edinson Cavani levelling after Branislav Ivanovic's early goal.

Blanc has also confirmed captain Thiago Silva will be rested for the game. "He has played a lot and started the last eight or nine matches," the Frenchman said. "He's been incredible. But maybe some others will get a rest too."

Meanwhile, Thiago Motta, who had been suffering from a calf problem, is fit for the game and is set to feature against Chelsea.

"We bring back Thiago Motta who is over his calf injury," Blanc said. "He hasn't played for three weeks, so we will see how he gets on. He is a very important player for our philosophy.

"He took a blow to the calf against Lyon, which didn't prevent him from playing against Nantes, and it was against Nantes that he got injured."