Prior to the international break, Pochettino's side had built momentum in the Premier League. The Blues had recorded a comprehensive victory at Tottenham Hotspur and gone punch-for-punch in a 4-4 draw with champions Manchester City.

Performances away from home have also been strong this term. That will have to continue if Chelsea are to come away from St James' Park with all three points tomorrow afternoon.

Pochettino confirmed ahead of the contest that Levi Colwill is in contention to feature. The centre-back didn't join up with the England squad during the recent international break due to a minor shoulder injury.

Also absent from the Three Lions squad was Reece James. That decision was taken to ensure the Chelsea captain could continue to build his fitness at Cobham following his return from injury.

James has started our previous three matches in all competitions but has yet to complete 90 minutes. Whether that changes against Newcastle is a decision for Pochettino and the Chelsea medical staff.

'We'll see tomorrow,' said the Blues head coach. 'He's doing well and is at a very good level. He's improving every day, we're so happy with him.

'We he can cope with the demands of 90 minutes. We'll see tomorrow – now you know one player that is going to play!

There was also the welcome sight of Moises Caicedo back at Cobham this morning. It was the first time the 22-year-old was involved in training having represented Ecuador in midweek against Chile.

'We need to assess,' stated Pochettino when asked at his pre-match press conference about the condition of the players returning from international duty.

'I think they have all arrived in a normal condition – and we have already picked the starting XI. I will give it to you tomorrow.'

The clash at St James' Park may result in a piece of Chelsea history being written. If Thiago Silva features against the Magpies, he will become the oldest outfield player to represent the Blues.

Dick Spence holds the current record – 39 years and 57 days – but our ageless Brazilian will pass that mark if selected.

With the final international break of 2023 concluded, Pochettino and his coaching staff will have three uninterrupted months to work with the Chelsea players on the training pitches at Cobham and form stronger relationships away from the grass.

'I think a good time is ahead because we love to work and we need to spend time together on and off the pitch,' explained Pochettino 'It's going to be an important period for us to settle our principles and ideas.

'We were not consistent in the first period of the competition. We talked together today in our meeting to try to find out why.

'We were very good against Arsenal, Liverpool, and the top other sides, but we struggled against teams with maybe less quality than us and play in a different way.

'That is part of the process because we are a young team who started work four months ago. We need to be more mature.'