How Chelsea could line up against Newcastle United

The Blues have suffered a double defensive blow with the news that Ben Chilwell (knee) and Levi Colwill (toe) will both be absent this weekend, while Conor Gallagher is a major doubt due to a sickness bug.

None of Benoit Badiashile (groin), Carney Chukwuemeka (ankle), Wesley Fofana (knee), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Reece James (thigh), Christopher Nkunku (thigh) or Romeo Lavia (thigh) will be present either, meaning that Chelsea's absentee list could stretch into double figures for the visit of the Magpies.

Pochettino opted for a 3-5-2 shape against Brentford last weekend but will surely revert to a four-man defensive setup given his new absences, as Marc Cucurella benefits from Chilwell's exclusion to start at left-back.

Trevoh Chalobah has forced his way back into Pochettino's plans too, and the Englishman should form the remainder of the rearguard with Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi and Djordje Petrovic, still keeping Robert Sanchez at bay.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez's places in midfield are under no threat whatsoever, and should Gallagher indeed sit this one out, Cole Palmer is primed to begin the match in the number 10 position.

Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk could therefore occupy the wide areas in support of Nicolas Jackson, who ended a six-game Premier League scoring drought with his opening goal at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson