The Blues were out on the grass on Tuesday morning at Cobham, where the rain clouds had cleared for autumnal sunshine on the first day of November. Graham Potter and his staff put the players through their paces in front of the assembled media for the first 15 minutes, as is standard practice before Champions League matches.

We take on the Croatians, who are the only side to have beaten us in Group E this term, on Wednesday evening at the Bridge, although top spot has already been secured following our victory in Salzburg last week.

Kepa was missing from the goalkeeper group having been withdrawn at half-time at Brighton on Saturday with what Potter described as a foot injury. Eighteen-year-old Eddie Beach was the Academy goalkeeper selected to join Edouard Mendy and Marcus Bettinelli, while fellow youngsters Dion Rankine, Lewis Hall and Zak Sturge were also involved.

Kovacic, who left last week’s clash in Austria early with a calf problem but played the full game against the Seagulls, was also absent. Meanwhile, Carney Chukwuemeka was on the grass but not involved with the group as he trained on his own after missing out last weekend.

N’Golo Kante, Reece James and Wesley Fofana are long-term absentees, with the latter pair having flown to Dubai this week to continue their rehabilitation programmes.

Potter will provide a further fitness update on his squad when he faces the press at his media conference at Stamford Bridge this evening, which you can watch live on the official Chelsea website and 5th Stand app from 3pm UK time. The Chelsea head coach will also be joined by Armando Broja.