Nicolas Anelka has returned to fitness at just the right time to fill the goalscoring boots of Didier Drogba.
The Frenchman has not played since scoring his eighth goal of the season in Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Portsmouth last month because of a hamstring injury.
But Carlo Ancelotti is delighted to confirm his other star striker will return for the clash with relegation-battling Hull.
With Drogba heading off to Africa, Anelka has vowed to re-discover the form he was showing before he was sidelined, playing in the striking role he craves.
"I wanted to show everyone I could play there and I wanted, even if I I'm not scoring a lot of goals, to be creative in the middle of the pitch," said Anelka.
"I knew I could do it well. I'm not going on the pitch just to score goals, I am going on there first to win and to play well and then, if I have the chance to score as well, that's even better.
"I like this position and I enjoy my football when I'm playing there. This role is maybe why I am more consistent, even if we have not always had good results during December.
"But we are playing against big teams every game and if they stay back against us, it is hard for us to score, which gives us a big challenge every time. Even so, we are still first in the league and we will try our best to stay there now.
"I wanted to play this position when I first came to Chelsea, with Didier in front and me just behind, and I always said that. This season the manager gave me the opportunity to do it, to be free on the pitch and I feel good.”
