Chelsea are set to make several changes for tonight’s visit to Swindon Town in the Capital One Cup third round.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Ryan Bertrand, David Luiz, Michael Essien and Juan Mata are all likely to come into the starting line-up, while Mark Schwarzer could be handed his debut for the club.
The veteran Australian goalkeeper was part of the Middlesbrough team that won the League Cup in the 2003/04 campaign.
Meanwhile, Azpilicueta has emerged as a potential transfer target for Barcelona, the Metro understands.
The La Liga champions could be forced to recruit a defender if Arsenal and Liverpool target Martin Montoya moves away from the club.
Azpilicutea made forty-seven appearances in all competitions last season, but has barely featured for the Blues since Jose Mourinho returned to the club as manager.
Elsewhere, three former Blues players are among the favourites to become the new Sunderland manager, following Paolo Di Canio’s sacking on Sunday evening.
Roberto Di Matteo, who won the FA Cup and Champions League in a short spell as manager at Stamford Bridge is the currently leading the market, while Watford manager Gianfranco Zola and Gus Poyet, who is currently out of work, are also in the running.