How Chelsea could line up against Southampton

Chelsea will again be without the services of Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic for Tuesday's EFL Cup last-16 affair with fellow Premier League side Southampton.

N'Golo Kante could be passed fit after missing out against Norwich City on Saturday due to muscular fatigue, but it seems unlikely that the France international will be risked.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel will make wholesale changes to the side that started the 7-0 win over the Canaries in the Premier League, with Malang Sarr, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcos Alonso, Hakim Ziyech, Saul Niguez and Ruben Loftus-Cheek among those expected to come into the side.

Reece James and Trevor Chalobah could retain their spots at the back, though, while Mateo Kovacic might be included alongside Saul and Loftus-Cheek in midfield.

Mason Mount, who scored three times against Norwich, is likely to be handed a rest, but Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz could both retain their spots, as Tuchel will be reluctant to completely change his XI, with a spot in the quarter-finals of a major cup competition up for grabs.

Ziyech came off the bench to feature on Saturday and could now be handed a starting role, while a number of youngsters will be hoping to earn spots on the bench.

Ross Barkley is also pushing to be involved in the starting side, but the Englishman is likely to be among the substitutes at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Kepa; James, Chalobah, Sarr, Alonso; Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Saul; Ziyech, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi