CHELSEA return to Premier League football following a double dose up of cup action which included heartache and a fightback.
The Blues were beaten by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final after a lengthy penalty shootout.
And the hangover looked to continue as they found themselves 2-1 down to Luton before fighting back to win 3-2.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – who missed Chelsea’s deciding spot kick at Wembley – started against Luton but is expected to be replaced by Edouard Mendy.
Trevoh Chalobah and Thiago Silva – both ruled out against Luton – could come back into the line up.
Both were seemingly rested for the midweek trip to Luton and available to return.
Thomas Tuchel said: “Those who weren’t at Luton due to minor injuries like Trevoh and Thiago were back in training yesterday so all fine.”
Andreas Christensen has missed Chelsea’s last two games with an Achilles injury and his return remains up in the air.
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Meanwhile captain Cesar Azpilicueta picked up a knock against Liverpool and is still ruled out.
Manager Tuchel revealed: “Azpi was not in training yesterday so this will be a bit too close unfortunately for him.”
Antonio Rudiger is expected to keep his place while Malang Sarr will rival Chalobah and Silva for a place in the back three.
Reece James has come off the bench in Chelsea’s last two matches and fit to play at Burnley.
Tuchel said: “Reece James was training yesterday and so far no problems, no reactions after his two matches.”
With Azpilicueta out the England international could get his first start at right-wing back since December.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is still an option to play in the wide role but neither the player nor his manager favour it.
On the left, Kenedy returned to Chelsea’s starting 11 having been recalled from on loan in January.
But it gave Spaniard Marcos Alonso the chance to rest and likely return with Ben Chilwell still out.
In midfield N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Saul Niguez and Jorginho are all fit to start.
Tuchel has often favoured Kante and Kovacic as a pair, making them favourites to start but Jorginho nor Saul cannot be ruled out.
And neither can Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who had to bizarrely fill in at centre-back against Luton.
But Loftus-Cheek had a hand in Chelsea’s two late goals, which could reward him with a start in midfield.
Going forward and Tuchel is really afforded options in attack.
Romelu Lukaku was dropped against Liverpool and replaced by Kai Havertz in a false 9.
The German was excellent but Lukaku had an impact off the bench and scored the winner at Luton.
It means the Belgian could remain up front at Burnley with Havertz in either a pair or deployed out wide.
Werner had been struggling for game time but came on against Liverpool while starting at Luton, scoring the winner.
It could see him keep his place out wide but he competes with Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech.
Mount is always a favourite to start but Ziyech is now fit to play after missing two games, having been the Blues most in-from star at the time.
Tuchel said: “Hakim was in training, seemed good so hopefully he can come back.”
With Ziyech in such good scoring form he could return out wide but Pulisic, Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Werner and Havertz are alternatives.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
