AVRAM Grant is continuing his search for players to bolster his depleted squad and keep Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League title race.

Grant lost Frank Lampard on Boxing Day for up to month with a thigh tear, joining senior players John Terry, Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele on the sidelines.

The more immediate concern is covering for Ashley Cole after the left-back got sent off for handball against Aston Villa and lost his appeal with the Football Association.

Cole is suspended for the clash against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge today, along with Ricardo Carvalho after the centreback's horror tackle on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

If Grant's squad is stretched now, he will also lose more players when the African Nations Cup starts next month, with Chelsea expected to strengthen in the transfer window.

Grant hinted at looking for long-term investments as well as short-term solutions.

We need to think about this,'' said Grant. We are following players. In every position, even where we have good players, if there is a player good for us we will take them. Especially now when we have injured players and the African Nations.'' Despite Andriy Shevchenko's recent goals, Chelsea have been persistently linked with Nicolas Anelka, while a potential move for Luka Modric seems to have been made easier as Tottenham are not expected to pursue the Croatia midfielder.

One position Grant is not looking for is goalkeeper. Petr Cech has been guilty of errors against Arsenal and Villa but his boss has backed him to return to his normal impressive form when he is fully recovered from a side problem.

Petr Cech is a great goalkeeper,'' said Grant. He is not his best from a physical side so we have to think what is best for him and for the team.

Every goalkeeper has bad days.

"We are not happy from this and he is not happy from this.

But for me he is still the best goalkeeper in the world."