How Chelsea could line up against Middlesbrough

Chelsea have been handed a fresh concern with Andreas Christensen ahead of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

The Danish centre-back was taken off injured after 33 minutes against Lille in the Champions League due to a suspected muscular problem and has joined long-term absentee Ben Chilwell on the sidelines.

Thomas Tuchel will have to assess Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi's issues ahead of the quarter-final, while Saul Niguez and Ross Barkley were left at home in midweek - the latter of which was presumably a tactical decision, while Saul has confirmed that he has contracted COVID-19.

A raft of changes from the Blues should start with Kepa Arrizabalaga replacing Edouard Mendy in goal, while Christensen and Thiago Silva could make way for Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr at the back.

Marcos Alonso's spot on the left could be safe despite the option of Kenedy, but Cesar Azpilicueta may be handed a rest as Hakim Ziyech takes on a wing-back role at the Riverside.

N'Golo Kante could be sacrificed from the midfield here, with Mateo Kovacic only playing 45 minutes of the second-leg win over Lille and Jorginho ready to go once more if Saul's absence in midweek proves to be injury or illness-related.

Mason Mount, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku are all ready to freshen up the attack, with the latter two on target in the fifth-round win over Luton Town earlier this month.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Kepa; Chalobah, Rudiger, Sarr; Ziyech, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Werner; Lukaku