Chelsea will hope to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they host relegation-threatened Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca’s side produced an uninspiring display last time out in the league as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Brentford.
But the Blues returned to winning ways in midweek as they took a huge step towards the Conference League semi-finals with a 3-0 away win in their quarter-final first leg with Legia Warsaw.
A heavily-rotated side got the job done in chilly Polish conditions on Thursday, but there was some concern for Cole Palmer who was brought off at half-time.
Maresca, though, was happy to allay those fears, suggesting the midfielder’s early withdrawal was ple-planned.
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‘We planned for him and Tosin [Adarabioyo] to come off on 45 minutes,’ he said at his post-match press conference. ‘Everything is fine.
‘We planned the game to try to have our best players for this game and to also give chances for some rest and to recover energy.’
Palmer started on the bench against Brentford last weekend, but the Englishman, who has scored just twice since the turn of the year, could now return to the starting XI for Sunday’s clash.
Nicolas Jackson, working his way back to full fitness after a serious hamstring injury, was an unused substitute against Legia on Thursday.
But after Christopher Nkunku’s poor display in front of goal, the Senegalese international looks primed to return to the starting XI on Sunday.
Noni Madueke is another coming back into fitness and delivered a timely reminder of his quality with a brace off the bench on Thursday.
Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo were given the night off against Legia but Maresca’s first-choice midfield duo will likely return on Sunday.
Robert Sanchez is expected to come back into the side in place of Filip Jorgensen, while Trevor Chalobah may also return in the heart of defence.
Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman and Marc Guiu remain sidelined with longer-term injuries, while Romeo Lavia is hoping to be fit again soon after suffering his latest injury setback a fortnight ago.
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Ipswich
Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Where to watch Chelsea vs Ipswich Town? Kick-off time and TV channel
The Premier League clash between Chelsea and Ipswich will kick-off at 2pm on Sunday, April 13.
Fans in the United Kingdom will not be able to watch the match live on TV or live stream, however, as it has not been selected for television broadcast.
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