The Blues host the Foxes – the former side of Maresca and Fofana – at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon [2pm kick-off] as we prepare to return to Premier League action following yesterday’s Conference League outing against Copenhagen.

Badiashile started the game in Denmark, playing the first half on his return from injury, before being replaced for the second period by Levi Colwill. Fofana wasn't part of the squad in Copenhagen but could be involved against his former side this weekend.

Speaking ahead of the visit of Leicester, Maresca confirmed the French defenders are both available, while Romeo Lavia has also stepped up his recovery from injury but the game will come too soon for him.

Likewise for the other players currently sidelined – Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Marc Guiu and Aaron Anselmino – as Maresca explained when speaking to the media.

‘Wes is training with us and he has been for more than 10 days now, so he is back and can be involved,’ Maresca stated when previewing our home clash with the Foxes.

‘Benoit is back as well, and Romeo has also started to work with us. This is good news but we have to be patient with him, because he is still quite far away from being 100 per cent fit and ready.

‘But he is starting to work with us again and this is good news. The rest are the same as before, there is no update on those players – Nicolas [Jackson], Noni [Madueke], Marc [Guiu] and Aaron [Anselmino] - they are all out still.

‘Nico has started to do some running outside which is good but I don’t think there is any change with his status, we are still looking at after the international break for him [before returning].’

Thursday night's trip to Copenhagen in the Round of 16 saw Gusto forced off with injury midway through the first half, with Marc Cucurella being introduced as his replacement.

Speaking immediately after the 2-1 win, Maresca said: ‘He’s ok, he’s better. They just said to me he could possibly be available for Sunday’s game, so hopefully we will have him for Sunday.’

While the match against Maresca’s former employers comes quick off the heels of our Conference League victory in the Danish capital, our last Premier League encounter came 10 days ago when we saw off Southampton at Stamford Bridge.

With a decent sized gap between fixtures, what did Maresca do with his players and how has he prepared for reuniting with Leicester this weekend?

‘We had some time off [after the Southampton game] which I think was needed after a tough run of fixtures, to help us all recharge a little,’ Enzo explained.

‘Now we are back and we are working very hard, with the focus now on Leicester 100 per cent. From now until the end of the season, every match is an important game and it’s important that we understand that each victory at this stage of the season can help push you towards the Champions League places, whether that’s top four or top five.

‘Like I said, we focus now on Leicester completely but then we have 10 very important games from now until the end of the season.’

While Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side may be stuck in the relegation zone following a tough run of results for the East Midlands side, Maresca isn’t underestimating the Foxes and believes a difficult challenges awaits the Blues on Sunday.

‘Leicester will be a very tough opponent,’ warned the Italian. ‘Every team is playing for something and those that are battling relegation are maybe even more desperate for points, because they need to stay in the Premier League.

‘That’s not to say those who are battling for top four or for titles are not desperate for points also. Every team is battling for points and that’s why at this stage of the season, the games are very difficult no matter the opponent.

‘We are focused and prepared for a tough game and hopefully we can get the three points.’