Chelseavs.Newcastle

The Blues boss oversaw a narrow 2-1 loss away to league-leading Liverpool last weekend, but the Blues atoned for that defeat with a 4-1 thrashing of Panathinaikos in the Conference League.

Maresca made a full 11 changes for the trip to Greece, where Marc Cucurella played the full 90 at left-back after returning from a domestic ban, while Wesley Fofana is also back from his own PL suspension.

Fofana will be one of several names to return to the starting lineup, a list that also includes Levi Colwill, Robert Sanchez and Reece James, who made his comeback from a thigh concern against Liverpool.

As Cucurella saw out the game in midweek, Malo Gusto - who remained in London - might start at left-back purely on the basis of having fresher legs, as he did at Anfield last weekend.

However, Enzo Fernandez should be good to go again in midfield after being substituted in the second half of the Panathinaikos victory, while Moises Caicedo will no doubt return to the engine room too.

Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson are set to reclaim their rightful spots in attack, and Maresca's biggest dilemma arguably lies on the left flank, where Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto both played 45 minutes against Liverpool.

Joao Felix has also thrown his hat into the ring thanks to his midweek brace, but a refreshed Sancho is still the most likely candidate to get the nod.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson