Midfielder won't take place for granted

John Obi Mikel believes it will be tough to reclaim his place in the first team despite talk of him returning against Arsenal.

The 22-year-old has had to watch from afar - while he was at the Africa Cup of Nations - as his team mates went unbeaten through the month of January and opened up a two point gap at the top of the league.
The Nigeria international has now returned to west London and could be drafted straight into the first team for Sunday's big game against Arsenal with fellow defensive midfielders Michael Essien and Juliano Belletti both out injured.
Despite the injuries to his Chelsea counterparts Mikel still believes that it won't be easy for him to establish himself in Carlo Ancelotti's side again.
"It isn't going to be easy for us to walk back into the team again. We know we have to come back, work hard and support the team," Mikel told the club's official website.
"I feel okay, I came back on Tuesday, had some medical tests and everything went well so I'm fit and ready to go again, ready for Arsenal who are a very good team, so if I am selected I can help the team as much as I can."