WHILE Carlo Ancelotti can rest more than £100million of Premier League talent and still start tonight’s game as favourites — Gary Megson admits there will probably be a rather familiar look about his own side’s starting line-up.

Chelsea are likely to give John Terry, Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka the night off at Stamford Bridge, a luxury the Wanderers boss can only dream about.

Megson has named the same starting 11 for the last three games, and while the likes of Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic picked up knocks in the 3-2 victory over Everton on Sunday, he admits sweeping changes are unlikely in the extreme, with Johan Elmander the only fresh face in contention.

“It will be pretty much the same squad as was involved on Sunday because we’re not in the luxurious position to be able to name two different teams,” he said.

“We’ll have a look to what suits us best with an eye on the game on Saturday, and also with what happened on Sunday. It was a very physical match.

“But we put out a strong team at Tranmere, the team that played the weekend before if memory serves, a strong team against West Ham and went into extra time, so we’ll be doing the same again.”

Wanderers’ last appearance in a major final was five years ago, and although they head to the capital tonight, Wembley is still a long, long way from the manager’s thoughts as he plots a route into the last eight.

Chelsea will also provide the opposition on Saturday in the league at the Reebok, and Megson admits that game will affect his selection policy in some quarters.

“We always have this issue,” he said. “I was talking to David Moyes about his experiences in Europe on Sunday.

“When you have got this certain sized squad - and Everton’s is bigger than ours - you have to at times, mend and make-do, with fingers crossed.

“You want to do as well as you can in these cup competition but you also know your priority has to be the Premier League.”

Megson also expressed admiration for the job done by Ancelotti since he took charge in July.

“He has done really well,” the Whites boss said. “He seems to have gone about his job in a quiet manner, which is great testament to someone with the background he has got as a player and as a manager.

“He isn’t one of these managers who shouts from the rooftops how wonderful he is. He just gets on with a really good job. He’s a class act.”

Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesteday that Danny Shittu and Riga picked up hamstring injuries in the reserve team defeat against Oldham on Monday night.