GRAHAM POTTER will be desperate to stop the rot as he takes his Chelsea side to high-flying Newcastle United on Saturday.
The Blues head to St. James’ Park without a win in four Premier League games and know that they could spend the World Cup break sitting tenth should they suffer defeat.
Potter suffered further misery in midweek as Chelsea crashed out of the Carabao Cup following a 2-0 loss at Manchester City.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is set to keep his place between the sticks with rival Kepa still out injured.
Both Trevoh Chalobah and Kalidou Koulibaly started against City and are likely to remain in defence, with the duo potentially being joined by Brazilian veteran Thiago Silva should Potter opt for a 3-4-3 formation.
Teen starlet Lewis Hall grabbed the headlines with his impressive display at the Etihad, but he will most-likely be replaced at left wing-back by Marc Cucurella with Cesar Azpilicueta the favourite to play down the right.
READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be hoping to end his seven-match goal drought should he get the nod to lead the attack.
He has a good history against Newcastle having scored six and provided three assists in his nine games versus the Toon.
And Raheem Sterling will also be hoping to continue his good record against the North East club.
The ex-Liverpool and Man City ace has five goals and one assist from six games against them.
Most read in Football
PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
After the multiple changes for the midweek clash, Potter could also reinstate Jorginho in midfield should he overcome a foot problem, with Mason Mount also due to feature.
Ruben-Loftus-Cheek could revert back into midfield from his outing in midweek to take on the Magpies.
And that could leave Kai Havertz to fill the final attacking spot – especially if Potter opts for a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
