Essien example leaves stars wary

Michael Essien will be sorely missed as he serves a suspension when Chelsea FC meet Liverpool FC in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final - while five of his team-mates must avoid yellow cards to escape a similar fate in the second encounter.

On the brink
Ghana midfielder Essien picked up his third booking of the competition just three minutes into Chelsea's 2-1 victory against Valencia CF at the Mestalla on Matchday 10. He made amends with a dramatic last-minute winner but will sit out José Mourinho's side's home game against Liverpool on 25 April. He is the only player banned for either first-leg match although all four semi-finalists, including Manchester United FC and AC Milan in the other tie, have players tottering on the brink, within one caution of a suspension.

Chelsea concern
Almost half wear the blue of Chelsea, who have the worst disciplinary record of the sides left in the tournament after accumulating 23 yellow cards (United are next with 19 and one red). Michael Ballack, Joe Cole, Lassana Diarra, Didier Drogba and Arjen Robben must all be on their best behaviour, while Liverpool, who welcome back Dirk Kuyt after his ban, have concerns only over Jermaine Pennant. Milan are similarly blessed, with just captain Paolo Maldini walking the tightrope.

Scholes return
Paul Scholes returns for Manchester United having been ruled out of the 7-1 rout of AS Roma after his first-leg dismissal, yet he will face another suspension if cautioned against Milan at Old Trafford following two earlier entries into the referee's notebook. Cristiano Ronaldo, Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze are in a similar position, and if they evade further censure on 24 April they will have to do the same again in the second leg at San Siro - or risk missing the final.