London: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted the reigning champions will be 'much stronger' in the second-half of the season.

The Londoners have reached the midway point of the current Premiership campaign two points behind leaders Manchester United, having been in front at this stage during the previous two seasons.

And it needed a last-gasp winner from Arjen Robben in a 3-2 win away to Wigan to keep the Blues within touching distance of the top ahead of Tuesday's Boxing Day programme which sees Chelsea at home to Reading.

"We're in a great position," said Mourinho.

 "The first half of the season is over. We've played 10 matches away, nine at home, we've played at Old Trafford and the difference is two points. For the second half of the season we will have some important people back in the team," he said.

"When John Terry, Joe Cole and Petr Cech are back in the team, this is more important than spending money on new players. So for the second part of the season, I feel we can be much stronger," he said.

After United's 3-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend Ferguson said Mourinho - who apologised for saying Everton striker Andy Johnson dived - should say sorry for suggesting Chelsea would be top at Christmas.

Unsurprisingly, the Portuguese was anything but contrite.

"The only thing is the reality and the distance now is two points. They (United) have no problems. Everybody is playing, and they play every game with the same team. We have suspensions, red cards, sometimes bad decisions go against us, but the distance is only two points. So for the second part of the season let's see what happens,"  he said.

Mourinho said he was uncertain if Chelsea captain Terry, who has been out with a back injury would be fit to face Reading.

"Maybe he will be able to play against Reading, maybe he will be out for another two to three weeks,"  he said.

United meanwhile are at home to Wigan and will be without England international Michael Carrick (ankle). But Ferguson rubbished suggestions the midfielder would be sidelined for a month.

"He will be back for the Reading game but reports that he's going to be out for a month are rubbish,"  he said.

England striker Wayne Rooney could be back in United's starting line-up after being left out against Villa following a family bereavement.

Craig Bellamy returns to former club Blackburn Rovers with a Liverpool side fresh from victory over basement club Watford.

Rovers, thrashed 6-2 last time out by Arsenal, welcome back top scorer and South Africa international Benni McCarthy from suspension.

Fourth-placed Arsenal look set to be without full-back Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) for their trip to Watford while Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf (hamstring) could miss the match against Newcastle.

High-flyers Portsmouth travel to West Ham with concerns over their strikers.

Benjani Mwaruwari aggravated his hamstring injury during the 3-1 win against Sheffield United. Lomana LuaLua is out with a thigh injury, while Andy Cole has only recently returned to training after an Achilles problem.

West Ham are missing suspended captain Nigel Reo-Coker.

Meanwhile Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe (knee) is doubtful for the match against Villa.

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton will be available to play against Sheffield United despite being sent-off against Bolton.

Struggling Charlton are at home to London rivals Fulham on Wednesday.