Chelsea have named their much-changed starting lineup for Thursday's Conference League game against Astana.
With a Premier League game to be played against Brentford on Sunday evening, Enzo Maresca has selected a batch of fringe and academy players for the game that will be played in sub-zero temperatures in Kazakhstan.
Courtesy of being suspended for the next domestic fixture, Pedro Neto starts on the flank, but the remainder of the side has been altered.
As expected, Filip Jorgensen, Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are the other senior squad members to be handed more game time.
However, there is a welcome opportunity for Josh Acheampong with the 18-year-old's contract situation close to being resolved.
Samuel Rak-Sakyi also makes his first start for the club, with fellow teenager Tyrique George earning his sixth successive outing in this competition.
© Imago
Carney Chukwuemeka is provided with his first start of the campaign, while Marc Guiu leads the line for the third time in a row in Conference League fixtures.
The substitutes' bench features players from the academy system, including Harvey Vale who could be handed a surprise outing ahead of leaving the club in January.
How have Astana fared in Conference League?
Since defeating TSC in their opening game, Astana have collected just one further point, losing to the likes of The New Saints and Pafos.
Nevertheless, they did earn an impressive point versus Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out, highlighting their capabilities in Kazakhstan.
Astana XI: Seisen; Bartolec, Kalaica, Kazukolovas, Vorogovskiy, Ebonh, Charles Chinedu, Tomasov, Marochkin, Camara, Amanovic
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Veiga; Dewsbury-Hall, Rak-Sakyi; George, Chukwuemeka, Neto; Guiu
Subs: Bergstrom, Merrick, Dyer, Vale, Olise, Ampah, Murray-Campbell, Wilson, Mheuka
Darren Plant
