Bournemouth v Chelsea: Blues players set to return, Cherries star a doubt

Gonzalo Higuain is set to make his Premier League debut as Chelsea travel to Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Higuain made his Blues bow in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday, when Eden Hazard was rested, but the Belgian is poised to return as one of a raft of changes.

David Luiz, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are also likely to return, while Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is yet to start in the Premier League, could find himself on the bench once more.

Provisional squad: Kepa, Caballero, Rudiger, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Higuain, Hazard, Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Zappacosta, Willian, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Emerson Palmieri, Ampadu, Hudson-Odoi.

Bournemouth top-scorer Callum Wilson faces a late fitness test.

England striker Wilson, who has hit 10 league goals this term, sustained a knee injury during the closing stages of the Cherries’ 2-0 victory over West Ham on January 19.

New signing Chris Mepham could make his debut but fellow January recruit Dominic Solanke (hamstring) is not expected to feature, while captain Simon
Francis and midfielder Lewis Cook (both knee) remain long-term absentees.

Provisional squad: Begovic, Boruc, Clyne, Smith, S. Cook, Simpson, Ake, Mings, Mepham, Daniels, Rico, Lerma, Surman, Gosling, Fraser, Brooks, Stanislas, Ibe, Mousset, King, Wilson.