Enzo Maresca has issued injury updates on four Chelsea players before the Conference League game against Copenhagen with their travelling squad to Denmark confirmed. The Blues begin their knockout journey on Thursday having eased through the league stage with a 100 per cent winning record.
Chelsea have endured a mixed last few weeks however, with disappointing defeats to Brighton and Aston Villa coming prior to the comprehensive win over Southampton. Another favourable Premier League fixture is up next at home to Leicester, but a huge European clash is first.
With Maresca impacted more by injury issues over the last few weeks, Chelsea have issued some hints over possible returning stars which has seen them forced to name some academy stars in their 21-man squad making the journey to Copenhagen.
Cole Palmer is the big name to be included with it likely he makes his European debut for the Blues after he, Wesley Fofana and Lavia were omitted from the league stage squad in order to manage their minutes. Trevoh Chalobah is another that has been named after recovering from a minor injury, but Noni Madueke and Romeo Lavia remain out.
However, there is some good news on Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana with Maresca able to issue a positive update despite the fact neither will feature on Thursday evening.
"They are both ready," he admitted in a press conference. "Trev was not something serious so he is OK. Benoit has been training in the past 10 days, probably even more. Wes is not in the squad but he is back. Romeo has started to train with us in the last two days.
"Slowly but surely we are getting players back and ready for the final bit of the season. We said already a few times, unfortunately our bad moment started with the amount of injuries but some of them are already back and in the process to be back. It is a huge boost for me and for the players."
Maresca has also confirmed Robert Sanchez will start in goal while the likes of Mathis Amougou or Shim Mhueka could get their first taste of European football at Chelsea.
21-man Chelsea squad:
Goalkeepers: Lucas Bergstrom, Filip Jorgensen, Robert Sanchez
Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Reece James
Midfielders: Mathis Amougou, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Forwards: Tyrique George, Shim Mhueka, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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