How Chelsea could line up against Southampton

The England playmaker did not take part against Juventus or Manchester City due to a "minor injury" Thomas Tuchel confirmed, but there is every chance that he will be given the green light to line up here.

However. N'Golo Kante (coronavirus) and Reece James (ankle) are definitely ruled out of the contest, while Christian Pulisic remains a major doubt with an ankle issue of his own.

Up-and-coming defender Trevoh Chalobah will hope to be considered for a start this week, but it would be a surprise if Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen did not hold their places in front of Edouard Mendy.

Cesar Azpilicueta should continue on the right over Callum Hudson-Odoi with James out, but Ben Chilwell replaced Marcos Alonso at half time in midweek and will hope to force his way into the first XI here.

Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic ought to keep their midfield places, in spite of calls for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to earn some more minutes, while Mount should displace Hakim Ziyech if fit enough.

Timo Werner claimed two goals and one assist in this fixture last term but may struggle to force his way in over Kai Havertz, while Romelu Lukaku will seek to net his 10th Premier League goal in 13 games against the Saints.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Mendy; Silva, Christensen, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz; Lukaku