CHELSEA HANDED TRANSFER REPRIEVE

CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti is almost certain to be free to spend in January when the transfer window reopens after the Court of Arbitration for Sport granted the London club's request to suspend their transfer ban pending a final decision.

The Premier League leaders were hit with a two-window suspension of transfer activity by FIFA after being found guilty of poaching Gael Kakuta from Lens in 2007.

The CAS statement said: "The Court of Arbitration for Sport has granted the request for a stay filed by Chelsea Football Club Ltd and Mr Gael Kakuta in relation to the decision taken by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber on 27 August 2009.

"The FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber imposed, inter alia, a restriction of four months' ineligibility on Mr Gael Kakuta, and Chelsea Football Club Ltd was banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the next two complete, consecutive registration periods. Such sanctions are now stayed until the CAS renders its final decision in this matter."

With Ancelotti set to lose several stars to the African Cup of Nations in 2010, there were real concerns the Italian would not be able to strengthen his squad with reinforcements.

However, the suspension of the ban means he can look at home and abroad for new talent if he feels the need to add to his multi-talented playing staff.

The likes of David Villa and Sergio Aguero have been linked with moves to West London recently and there is certain to be plenty more speculation now the January punishment seems unlikely to stand as any verdict on the appeal will not take place until next year.

The news provides Chelsea with a timely boost ahead of their top-of-the-table showdown with Manchester United on Sunday.

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