How Chelsea could line up against Brentford

Christopher Nkunku (unspecified), Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Romeo Lavia (all thigh), Benoit Badiashile (groin), Marc Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka (both ankle) all remain sidelined with injuries, although the latter three are believed to be not too far away from returning to the first-team fold.

Thiago Silva, meanwhile, remains touch-and-go having missed the last three matches with a groin problem; the 39-year-old will be assessed ahead of kickoff, but his potential absence could see Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill link arms in central defence.

Mauricio Pochettino will 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 likley 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 likley 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