Enzo Maresca may choose an unchanged Chelsea team on Sunday for the Blues' Premier League trip to fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle United at St. James' Park.

Following a series of muscle injuries since joining the West London club, Romeo Lavia's return to the side has seen the former Southampton man start against Everton and Liverpool, and the Belgian midfielder could play from the off for the third game in a row.

This expected inclusion means Moises Caicedo would continue at right-back, albeit with the freedom to move into midfield when the London club have possession, while Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella complete the back four.

With the Chelsea Player of the Year likely to continue as the inverted right-back, club captain Reece James will take a place on the bench and could be brought on as the game progresses, possibly for Lavia, who has not completed 90 minutes since joining the club.

Further forward, the trio of Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke should support Nicolas Jackson in the front four.

Neto comes into the weekend after scoring the winner at Fulham and assisting the opener against Liverpool; Palmer, fresh off ending a 12-game drought without scoring in the top flight, could score in consecutive fixtures for the first time since January; Madueke has impressed on the left flank with his aggressive ball-carrying and Jackson has netted three goals in his last four appearances across all competitions, including the winner against Everton in late April.

While the Blues have several players missing due to injury or suspension, only Wesley Fofana would have been in contention for a start on Tyneside.

The centre-back is out for the season after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury last month, and the Frenchman is joined on the treatment list by compatriot Christopher Nkunku (knock), Aaron Anselmino (hamstring) and Omari Kellyman (hamstring), while Mykhaylo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test.

Back from an extended hamstring layoff, Marc Guiu could return to the Chelsea squad for the first time since his substitute appearance against West Ham United in February.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson

> Click here to see how Newcastle United could line up for this game