Chelsea's fit-again defender Ricardo Carvalho is determined to help the Blues reach the FA Cup final this season.

This is after he missed out on their triumph over Manchester United two seasons ago through injury.

Carvalho's season has been wrecked by knee and hamstring problems but he returned to action in the 2-2 draw at Fulham last Sunday as a replacement for injured Brazilian defender Alex.

While he has been sidelined, Luiz Felipe Scolari's side have struggled for consistency with vital points dropped in crunch clashes.

They have also lost out to Liverpool and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and currently sit three points off the pace in the race for the Barclays Premier League title.

But Carvalho's mind is on FA Cup glory as the Blues prepare for the visit of League One side Southend on Saturday.

A knee ligament injury robbed the Portugal centre-half of a place in Jose Mourinho's side as Chelsea became the first club to win the trophy at the new Wembley thanks to a late goal from Didier Drogba.

"It is a big celebration when you've got the trophy," said Carvalho.

"I was there [at Wembley]. Okay I was injured at that time but I was watching the game and the atmosphere was fantastic and after we got the trophy, I went in the dressing room and the feeling was unbelievable.

"I want to repeat that and to win at home on Saturday but you have to play serious and respect the other team.

"Two weeks before that final I got a knee injury and after that I could not play. But in the last two minutes of the game Didier scored a great goal.

"I was supposed to go into the dressing room and decided to watch the last minute in there. But just as I began to go down we scored so I came back quick and just saw the goal.

"The FA Cup is different. It is a big day for Southend and you have to prove you are better, you have to run as hard as they do and you have to play with the ball because you have more quality.

"Sometimes teams run a little bit more than us, they run like crazy and it is difficult - but when our quality comes through and you prove you are better, normally it is 1, 2, 3-0.

"So let's see how it happens this time against Southend. The game will be difficult in the first 20 minutes and you have to play serious and play better than them to score goals."

Carvalho admits his recent injury got him down as he fought hard to shake off ligament and hamstring problems.

"It was almost eight weeks and in that time I needed to be a little bit strong because I was a little bit down," said Carvalho.

"I went to Cobham every day and I spent a lot of time there but I didn't play, I saw the games on TV, and it is difficult to watch and not be part of the team.

"Before I never had knee ligament injuries but in the last two years I've had it two or three times. The hamstring was the first time it took longer to recover. I had to put in my mind that I need to recover and be fit and as strong as before and after that takes a little bit more time to make sure I was alright.

"Of course I am not fit yet, I am not 100%. I have to play more games."

Chelsea are likely to be without Alex and winger Florent Malouda against Southend. They both collected hamstring injuries in the draw with Fulham.