‘Big thing’- Chelsea receive confirmed enormous injury boost ahead of Fulham clash

Chelsea will have Noni Madueke involved for the first time in pre-season with the England under-21 now recovered from a tight hamstring injury that has held him back.

The 21-year-old started five of the last six league games last season but has not been involved all summer despite travelling with the Chelsea team for their tour of the United States. He bagged one goal and looked bright in a Chelsea team that just did not get going last time out.

His return could see manager Pochettino make changes to his starting eleven with Raheem Sterling expected to start with Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke making the attacking lineup.

The midfield could also see some interesting changes with Enzo Fernandes likely to keep his place but Conor Gallagher who has been linked with a move away all summer despite looking bright in pre-season as well as young Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei who has been a breath of fresh air since joining the team after his loan spell at Reading could all start.

The defence could also see some interesting changes with Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill all coming in for the Trevoh Chalobah, Bashir Humphreys, Reece James and Marc Cucurella who started the last game.

Chelsea have won two and drawn one in their three games so far in pre-season, the game against Fulham will bring an end to their Premier League summer series in the States before their final game against Dortmund wrapping up preparations ahead of the Liverpool game that kickstarts the new season.