Southampton v Chelsea: Blues stars set to return, Saints boosted

Eden Hazard is expected to start as Maurizio Sarri looks set to revert to his first-choice Chelsea line-up for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Southampton.

The Blues made eight changes for Thursday night’s Europa League win over Hungarian champions Vidi, with Hazard introduced off the substitutes’ bench.

Defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Alonso were among those afforded a rest who are set to return, while Olivier Giroud and Jorginho are also set to start.

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

Southampton expect to have forward Shane Long back in contention.

The Republic of Ireland international missed last weekend’s defeat at Wolves due to a toe problem.

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, defender Ryan Bertrand and winger Mohamed Elyounoussi have each returned to training following minor injury problems and should be available for selection.

Provisional squad: McCarthy, Gunn, Forster, Soares, Stephens, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Hoedt, Bertrand, Bednarek, Targett, Hojbjerg, Davis, Romeu, Lemina, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Redmond, Gallagher, Long, Gabbiadini, Austin, Ings.