Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will have to cope without eight injured players for Saturday's West London derby against Brentford in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
While Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah (both thigh), Romeo Lavia (ankle) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) could all return at some stage in December, Wesley Fofana (knee) and Marcus Bettinelli (knee) remain long-term absentees, while Christopher Nkunku (knee) is "close" to a return according to Pochettino and could make his comeback after November's international break.
Armando Broja (knee) is also out but may be in a position to return for next week's EFL Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers, so Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson are set to compete for the centre-forward spot against Brentford; Sterling was given the nod over Jackson in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend.
Cole Palmer has taken his chance in the first team in recent weeks, contributing with two goals and two assists in the last four fixtures, and the 21-year-old is in contention to start his fifth successive game in attack; Mykhaylo Mudryk could occupy the opposite flank to Palmer, while Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher are all set to continue in centre-midfield.
Chelsea were boosted by the return of captain Reece James last weekend, with the Englishman recovering from a hamstring injury to feature as a second-half substitute, but it remains to be seen whether he is fully fit to start ahead of Malo Gusto at right-back.
Axel Disasi was only fit to make the bench last time out, but the Frenchman could return at centre-back against Brentford, and should he partner Thiago Silva at the heart of the defence, Levi Colwill may move over to take the place of Marc Cucurella at left-back.
Benoit Badiashile was named in the matchday squad against Arsenal for the first time this season following a lengthy spell out with a hamstring injury, and the centre-back will be pushing to feature in some capacity on Saturday, as will winger Noni Madueke who has only made four fleeting substitute outings in the top flight so far this term.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Sterling, Mudryk
Oliver Thomas
