Jesse Derry makes his first start for Chelsea as Reece James and Levi Colwill return to the matchday squad for the visit of Nottingham Forest this afternoon.
The Blues players were handed three days off after last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final win against Leeds but have since returned to first-team training, with James and Colwill involved.
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Colwill has not played any minutes for the first team this season after an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in the club’s very first pre-season training session.
James had been fit all season but then picked up a hamstring injury in March’s defeat at home to Newcastle and since been recovering for six weeks.
Both players are named on the bench at Stamford Bridge as Malo Gusto continues at right-back, while Tosin Adarabioyo keeps his place in central defence alongside Trevoh Chalobah after impressing in the FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds.
McFarlane, as expected, has named a strong line-up for the visit of in-form Forest, making just two changes from the win over Leeds as Derry comes in for Alejandro Garnacho and Cole Palmer replaces Pedro Neto.
The interim head coach appears to have made a decision to select Palmer on the right wing which means Enzo Fernandez will operate in the No10 role behind Joao Pedro.
McFarlane has also opted to use Romeo Lavia alongside Moises Caicedo in central midfield.
Confirmed team news
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Fernandez, Derry; Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, James, Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Andrey Santos, Essugo, Delap
