[Chelsea](/topic/chelsea) could have four key players back for their west London derby against Fulham on Wednesday.
Cole Palmer played his first full 90 minutes for club or country in three-and-a-half months at the Etihad Stadium and will be hoping to again get the whole game at Craven Cottage.
McFarlane waxed lyrical about the performance of half-time substitute Andrey Santos against City, but his likelihood of starting at Fulham is impacted by the fact Chelsea have Moises Caicedo returning after serving a one-match suspension.
Estevao Willian was the man to make way at half-time for Santos following a quiet first half against City.
Chelsea cannot call on Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo or Romeo Lavia against Fulham as they continue to recover from longer-term injuries.
**Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1):** Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
**Doubts:** Cucurella, Sanchez, Fofana
**Injured:** Colwill, Essugo, Lavia
**Time and date:** 7:30pm GMT on Wednesday January 7, 2026
**Venue:** Craven Cottage, London