How Chelsea could line up against Luton Town

On account of being cautioned for the fifth time this season, neither Cole Palmer nor Raheem Sterling were available for Wednesday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, but the duo should be reinstated to the first XI straight away on Saturday.

None of Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James (thigh), Marc Cucurella (ankle) or Robert Sanchez (knee) will be available, though, while there is still a question mark over hernia victim Enzo Fernandez.

The beating of Palace saw Romeo Lavia come off the bench for his Chelsea debut, but Pochettino confirmed after the game that the Belgian - who missed the first portion of the campaign with an ankle problem - experienced some "issues" in his cameo appearance.

As a result, Conor Gallagher and Moises Caicedo will likely pair up in the engine room once again, while the return of Sterling should see Ian Maatsen demoted to the bench after a rare starting role against Palace.

Mykhaylo Mudryk netted the opener in midweek and should have done enough to hold his position, but Nicolas Jackson may be the one axed for the returning Palmer owing to his frequent game time over the festive period and another underwhelming display against Palace.

A second successive top-flight start could therefore come the way of Nkunku in the centre-forward role, while Thiago Silva is set to be reinstated to an otherwise unchanged defensive line, potentially in place of Benoit Badiashile.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Gallagher; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Nkunku