UNDER-21 LEAGUE FIXTURE NEWS

The fixtures for the second stage of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League campaign have been released.

The Chelsea Under-21s' third-place finish in our group before Christmas means for the next stage we play in Qualification Group Tier 1. The top two in the groups in first half of the season and the two best third-placed teams went into the Elite Group Stage, with the lowest teams going into Qualification Group Tier 2.

It is still open for the teams finishing top of Tier 1 and Tier 2 to make the knockout stage of the competition in May which will decide the national Under-21 champions.

Chelsea's first fixture is on Thursday against Fulham at Cobham. Please note spectators will not be admitted. The match is live on Chelsea TV with a 7.05pm kick-off.

Dermot Drummy's team play Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Friday 25 January. That match will be open to the public with kick-off at 7.05pm. It will also be shown live on Chelsea TV.

Chelsea's full Barclays Under-21 Premier League fixtures are:

Thursday 10 January	Fulham	Home	7.05pm	Cobham
Tuesday 22 January	Everton	Away	7pm	Southport FC
Friday 25 January	Middlesbrough	Home	7.05pm	Stamford Bridge
Sunday 3 February	Sunderland	Home	12 noon	Brentford FC, Griffin Park
Monday 11 February	Blackburn Rovers	Away	7pm	Leigh Sports Village
Friday 15 February	Aston Villa	Home	7pm	Brentford FC, Griffin Park
Friday 1 March	Fulham	Away	7pm	Craven Cottage
Sunday 10 March	Everton	Home	2.30pm	Cobham
Monday 18 March	Middlesbrough	Away	7pm	Riverside Stadium
Sunday 31 March	Blackburn Rovers	Home	12 noon	Cobham
Monday 8 April	Sunderland	Away	12 noon	Academy Of Light
Monday 15 April	Aston Villa	Away	7pm	Villa Park