Chelsea have no new injury concerns ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, manager Graham Potter has confirmed.
Conor Gallagher, who was withdrawn in the first half of the 0-0 draw at Brentford due to illness, has been training and will be assessed closer to kick-off. Hakim Ziyech overcame a neck infection to make the bench in west London.
Potter told reporters on Friday: “We’re still in the recovery process. Almost like we were with Brentford. Conor (Gallagher) trained today so we’ll see how he is in the next 24 hours.”
It leaves only long-term absentee Reece James (knee), N’Golo Kante (hamstring) and Wesley Fofano (knee) on the sidelines.
Potter is likely to stick with the 3-4-3 formation he has used in recent weeks, with several rested stars such as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling returning.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will keep his place in goal, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount in midfield.
Marco Cucurella and Kalida Koulibaly will compete for the left center back spot. Trevoh Chalobah should keep his place at right back.
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea after being banished from the squad.
Ronaldo left Old Trafford early in the midweek win over Tottenham, prompting Erik ten Hag to take him off duty this weekend. The 37-year-old is understood to be training alone for the rest of the week.
Ronaldo later admitted on Instagram that “sometimes the heat gets the best of us” and vowed to do everything he can to try and win back his place in the starting line-up.
United cruised to victory at Old Trafford without any fresh injury concerns, ensuring Erik ten Hag has most of his squad to choose from.
After a bout of illness, Christian Eriksen came off the bench but now faces an uphill battle to regain his place in competition with Casemiro, Scott McTominay and Fredo, who scored on Wednesday night.
Harry Maguire (thigh), Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Donny van de Beek (muscle) are out and The Hag confirmed Anthony Martial (back) remains unavailable.
The rest of the squad prefers to go with Luke Shaw ahead of Tyrell Malacia at left-back, with Jadon Sancho opting to keep Anthony Elanga on the wing.
United face a Europa League meeting with FC Sheriff at Old Trafford four days after that clash in the capital, which would be a much more likely moment of rest for the players.
On Friday, Ten Hag will face the media to report on the fitness of his team.
Predicted Chelsea XI:
Kepa; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly; Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Aubameyang, Sterling.
Predicted Manchester United XI:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Eriksen, Casemiro; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford.