Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is guaranteed to be without at least eight players for Wednesday's FA Cup fifth-round showdown versus Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.

All of Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (thigh), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Carney Chukwuemeka (ankle) and Benoit Badiashile (groin) are still working their way back from their afflictions, and none will be involved in midweek.

In addition, neither Thiago Silva (groin) nor Marc Cucurella (ankle) were given the green light to return for Sunday's 1-0 EFL Cup final loss to Liverpool, despite both being due to return to partial team training before the showpiece match.

On Tuesday, the Blues boss also revealed that Christopher Nkunku is facing between three and four weeks on the sidelines with a fresh injury, and another central option - Cesare Casadei - turned out for Leicester City earlier in the competition and is therefore cup-tied.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was back on the bench at Wembley following a knee injury and personal problem and could now take the gloves back off of Djordje Petrovic, while Alfie Gilchrist and Trevoh Chalobah will surely come into consideration for starts at the back.

Axel Disasi and the injury-riddled Ben Chilwell may be the ones to make way - the latter's demotion would see Levi Colwill shift across to left back - but options for change in midfield are in shorter supply.

Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez should therefore be offered no respite, although the former could drop deeper if Moises Caicedo is granted a break, opening up a spot in the number 10 role for Cole Palmer to occupy.

Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke's fresh legs will come in handy out wide, and having been brought off midway through the second half at Wembley, Raheem Sterling may start through the middle instead of Nicolas Jackson.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Gilchrist, Chalobah, Colwill; Gallagher, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Sterling

Written by
Ben Knapton