The score is Felipe Scolari 0 Roy Keane 1 as far as the Chelsea manager is concerned and he is pushing hard for an equaliser on Saturday.

Scolari has far from forgotten his disappointment in the Far East when the then Manchester United captain scored against his Palmeiras side nine years ago.

That was in Tokyo in the Intercontinental Cup between the Champions League winners from Europe and the South American champions. The goal consigned Scolari to his second defeat in the prestigious game, having lost to Ajax with Grêmio four years earlier.

'Keane was a fantastic player and he killed me one time,' said Scolari ruefully as he looked forward to the visit of Sunderland.

'I remember this very well. A Giggs cross and he scored at the far post. Maybe tomorrow I have the chance to make one win against Roy Keane.

'He starts now as a coach and because he has played with good coaches and because he was an intelligent player, he has a good future.'

Chelsea's chance of helping the boss to level the score has been boosted by injury news ahead of the game.

'Joe Cole is ready. He's not 100 per cent but he gives the chance for me to put him in tomorrow. Didier Drogba come with us and goes on the bench.'

Cole was forced off in the second half versus Hull, after feeling a problem with his ankle. Drogba has been out for a month with knee and ankle damage but has trained for a week.

Didier is back firing

Balancing the good news was the assessment of Ricardo Carvalho's hamstring problem.

'For two weeks he will not train and after one month, he plays for us again.

'When I bring back one, I lose another,' Scolari shrugged. 'This is my time so far in Chelsea.'

Despite losing a central defender, calling England Under 21 international Michael Mancienne back from loan at Wolves will not be considered.

'I can play with Terry, Alex, Ivanovic and if I need to Paulo Ferreira,' Scolari listed. 'Now is the time for Mancienne to play six months in another club because he needs to play more than here. In the future, it is better for us.'

Needless to say it is three points that the manager is really seeking on Saturday rather than any token revenge over his opposite number - and points totals are playing a part in his strategy he has revealed.

'In my opinion, we are only one point from what I thought before. We have 23 points, I was thinking 24.

'I am happy with my players because they try very hard every game. Sometimes they make a mistake but this is normal. Not only the players but me and all people in life make mistakes.

'We made mistakes against Liverpool and we lost the game. I am thinking about the number because I have the statistics of the last five championships. I follow this because it is my first time in England. If we have 24 in this time, it would be fantastic.'

His projected target for the end of the season is remaining private.

'I know the number and the players know the number,' Scolari smiled.