Chelsea duo Danny Drinkwater and Billy Gilmour are both starting for the Blues under-21s as they take on Bristol Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy down in the west country.
The 30-year-old Drinkwater has had a tumultuous time at Stamford Bridge, having failed to make a real impact with the Blues.
After one season under Antonio Conte, the midfielder didn't feature with Maurizio Sarri in charge of the club.
Last season, Drinkwater had two disappointing loan spells at Burnley and Aston Villa, before returning to Chelsea in the summer.
He has been training with the development squad at Cobham away from the first team and has made two appearances for the under-23s in the Premier League 2 campaign so far this season, ending up on the losing side both times to Liverpool and Everton.
The former Premier League title winner with Leicester has very little future in west London but was unable to secure a third loan move away earlier this year as he remains in the capital for the time being.
Gilmour meanwhile has much brighter first team prospects as he continues his comeback from a serious knee injury last July in a Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
The teenager made his comeback on the international stage last week when he was introduced as a 63rd minute substitute for the Scotland under-21s - but was sent off nine minutes later for a shoulder barge which looked incredibly harsh on the midfielder.
Gilmour said of his comeback. "I've been out for four months with the meniscus in my right knee but the recovery has been going well. I'm back training with the team and I've come here [with Scotland] to get some minutes hopefully.
"I'm enjoying it so I am [training at Chelsea]. It's been a great experience, great for my development to go and play with these world class players every day. There are so many trophies in there and I'm learning every day.”
Down at the Memorial Stadium, Tino Anjorin also starts, as does Karlo Ziegler in goal. Dynel Simeu captains the Blues youngsters for the group stage game.
