Kalidou Koulibaly is absent for Chelsea’s Champions League clash with RB Salzburg tonight.
Koulibaly is sidelined with a minor knee problem and Graham Potter has confirmed the defender could be back in training ahead of a weekend clash with Brighton.
“It’s not too serious but this game was too soon for him,” the Chelsea boss said on Tuesday. “We are hoping to get him on grass either on Wednesday or Thursday but he is not available for tomorrow.”
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Reece James (knee), N’Golo Kante (hamstring) and Wesley Fofana (knee) remain long-term absentees, missing the open training session at Cobham on Monday.
The rest of the squad were fit and available for selection despite rumours that Marc Cucurella is still struggling with an illness.
Potter goes with a strong lineup in Europe with the chance to secure top spot in Group E on offer tonight, though the formation is shrouded in mystery.
Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz all come in for Cesar Azpilicueta, Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Chelsea starting XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella, Jorginho, Kovacic, Gallagher, Pulisic, Havertz, Sterling, Aubameyang
Subs: Loftus-Cheek, Bettinelli, Mendy, Broja, Mount, Zakaria, Chilwell, Ziyech, Azpilicueta, Chukwuemeka
