Our final fixture before the November international break takes us to the Stadium of Light, where we will face a Sunderland side that has won one of their opening nine top-flight matches.

The Blues' last outing was a 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Alonso has made two changes to the side that started that win, with Pep Chavarria replacing Acheampong in defence and Jordan Henderson coming in for Estevao Willian.

Alonso was asked ahead of this afternoon's contest why Acheampong wasn't included in the matchday squad. He replied: ‘He is recovering from a minor thing.

'He missed the fitness to be ready for today but we are expecting that he will be back after the international break. It’s a pity because he was in a good moment.’

Martinez hasn't featured for the Blues since our win at Everton last month. The Argentine goalkeeper had to undergo jaw surgery following the victory due to a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite.

The 34-year-old returned to training this week wearing protective headgear but wasn't quite ready to take his place in the squad.

Alonso said: ‘He has made a great effort to be available but probably it was too rash, too risky [to be selected]. So he will use one more week, ten days, to keep on training and get used to the mask. I’m sure after the break he will be available.’

Henderson's return to the Blues' starting XI comes in the city he was born in – and against the club he started his career with. Alonso is confident the England international will once again bring plenty to our midfield against a tough opponent.

He added: ‘No, I remember his start here in Sunderland, it’s not that he plays because he was born here, it’s because he is so important for the team and is doing really well. I’m sure he is going to help today.

‘All the games in the Premier League are tough, we know that even when you play well you maybe don’t get what you deserve, but this is the reality of the Premier League. For sure it’s going to be a tough game for both sides, intense, but we feel ready and hopefully we can finish with a good win before the internationals.’