Chelsea hand starts to Lewis Hall and Armando Broja for today’s huge clash with Newcastle.
Jorginho’s return eases Graham Potter’s injury list but the manager remains without six players ahead of a crucial match in the fight to finish in the top four.
Long-term absentees Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana will play no part as they target returns after the World Cup. Unfortunately, no timescale has been given for Kepa Arrizabalaga’s plantar fasciitis (foot) injury, which has seen him miss out on a place in Qatar.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW NEWCASTLE VS CHELSEA LIVE!
N’Golo Kante also won’t be available for either the upcoming match or the one after against Bournemouth on December 27 after surgery on his hamstring. Carney Chukwuemeka is struggling with a similar issue.
It left Potter with limited options but he did leave a host of key players on the bench in the midweek 2-0 defeat by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Thiago Silva got a full rest in midweek but are both on the bench.
Potter could stick with the 3-4-3 formation after declaring himself happy with the performance against Pep Guardiola’s side, despite the defeat.
Chelsea starting XI to face Newcastle (3-4-3): Mendy; Azpilicueta (c), Chalobah, Koulibaly; Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Jorginho, Hall; Gallagher, Mount; Broja
