How Chelsea could line up against Fulham

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expects to welcome two players back to the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League West London derby with Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have several guaranteed absences for the capital contest, including Nicolas Jackson (international), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Robert Sanchez (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Reece James (hamstring), Christopher Nkunku (hip) and Romeo Lavia (thigh).

Meanwhile, all of Benoit Badiashile (unspecified), Ben Chilwell (thigh) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) have resumed team training, and Pochettino has confirmed that the former two are on track to be named in the squad for the derby.

With so few options for change at the minute, an unaltered backline should comprise Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill in front of Dorde Petrovic, unless Chilwell or Badiashile are deemed fit enough to start.

Moises Caicedo did not cover himself in glory whatsoever for Hayden Hackney's winner on Tuesday evening, and the Ecuadorian could very well find himself on the bench for Saturday's fixture if Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez pair up in the middle.

A possible alteration in midfield would allow Mykhaylo Mudryk to provide an injection of pace into the attacking line, although Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer - despite the latter's wastefulness in midweek - should hold their places.

Armando Broja was a notable omission from the first XI at Boro, a decision which Pochettino confirmed was related to his workload and previous fitness woes, but a recall to the starting lineup is ostensibly in order for the Albanian attacker.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Broja