Chelsea new boy Christopher Nkunku may finally make his competitive debut for the Blues when they meet Newcastle United in Tuesday's EFL Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.
The former RB Leipzig man has been recuperating from a knee injury since the summer, but he made a Premier League squad for the first time in Saturday's 2-0 beating of Sheffield United.
Nkunku only warmed the bench for 90 minutes at the weekend, though, and any minutes for the French attacker on Tuesday should therefore come as a substitute, but that is more than can be said for several of his teammates.
Indeed, Wesley Fofana (knee), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (unspecified), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Reece James (hamstring), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Robert Sanchez (knee) and Romeo Lavia (ankle) are all out of contention, but Noni Madueke (muscle) has returned to full training.
On the back of keeping a clean sheet on his full Premier League debut, Djordje Petrovic will guard the Blues' goal, potentially with Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi protecting him if Thiago Silva's 39-year-old legs are spared.
Changes could also occur in the full-back areas amid the unforgiving schedule, as Malo Gusto is fit again after a tendon problem, while Ian Maatsen may also be handed a rare opportunity to impress on the opposite side.
Enzo Fernandez was restricted to a cameo appearance against Sheffield United, but the Argentine will surely be considered for reinstatement to the first XI, where regular midfield partner Moises Caicedo could welcome him.
Fernandez's return may force Mykhaylo Mudryk out of the XI if Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher all reprise their attacking roles, and despite being guilty of an open-goal howler at the weekend, Armano Broja could also be offered the chance to redeem himself as Nicolas Jackson enjoys a hard-earned break.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Maatsen; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sterling, Gallagher, Palmer; Broja
Ben Knapton
