Chelsea could be boosted by the return of two first-team players for Saturday's Premier League encounter with West London rivals Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that there is a "possibility" both Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella will be involved in the matchday squad as the duo have returned to training; while Silva has missed the last three games with a groin injury, Cucurella has been sidelined since December 10 with an ankle problem.
However, Christopher Nkunku (unspecified), Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Romeo Lavia (all thigh), Benoit Badiashile (groin) and Carney Chukwuemeka (ankle) all remain in the treatment room with injuries.
It remains to be seen whether Silva will be fit to start against Brentford, so Pochettino could select Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill in central defence, while the Blues boss will also ponder whether to stick with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who was handed his first start since mid-December in the 3-2 FA Cup win over Leeds United on Wednesday after recovering from injury, or recall Dorde Petrovic between the sticks.
Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer were all not deemed 100% fit to start against Leeds – the former two suffered with fatigue while the latter was feeling ill the night before – but all three players came on as second-half substitutes and they should all be in contention to start against Brentford.
With Chilwell expected to return at left-back as Malo Gusto moves over to right-back, Gallagher will likely operate at the tip of a midfield triumvirate including Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, while Palmer could play on the right side of attack.
Mykhaylo Mudryk, who scored against Leeds, Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke all started in midweek, but two of those three will likely make way for Gallagher and Palmer, while Nicolas Jackson is expected to continue as the central striker.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Gallagher, Mudryk; Jackson
Oliver Thomas
