Duo ruled out as Lampard makes 1 change | Expected Chelsea line-up vs Newcastle

Chelsea get back to Premier League action when they take on Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Here is the team we expect Frank Lampard to select for the game:

Goalkeeper: There is no point deliberating for too long over who’ll start in goal as Kepa Arrizabalaga is certain to keep his place with Willy Caballero having to settle for a spot on the bench yet again.

Defence: Lampard is expected to stick with a 4-3-3 system after it worked well during the 4-1 win at Southampton before the international break. Reece James is pushing for a recall but Cesar Azpilicueta is expected to start at right-back while Marcos Alonso should retain his place as Emerson is still not 100% match fit after only recently recovering from a thigh injury.

Antonio Rudiger is close to overcoming a groin injury but this game is likely to come too soon while Andreas Christensen picked up a knock playing for Denmark earlier this week so Fikayo Tomori and Kurt Zouma should continue in the middle of the back four.

Midfield: Chelsea have suffered a big blow as N’Golo Kante is a major doubt after withdrawing from the France squad with an adductor injury and he’s unlikely to be risked against Newcastle this weekend.

Jorginho is certain to keep his place at the heart of the Chelsea midfield while Mason Mount should also start after becoming a key player under Lampard following some impressive performances this season.

However, Mateo Kovacic is a doubt after picking up a knock against Wales last weekend and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still working his way back to full fitness following an Achilles injury so Ross Barkley is expected to be recalled.

The midfielder starred for England during their Euro 2020 qualifying win over the Czech Republic so he’ll be hoping to continue that form for Chelsea following a frustrating start to the new season.

Attack: Olivier Giroud was back among the goals for France during the international break but he’s not expected to win back his place in the Chelsea team any time soon after falling out of favour.

Michy Batshuayi appears to be ahead of him in the pecking order but the Belgian hitman will also have to settle for a sub role on Saturday as Tammy Abraham should continue to lead the line up front.

Willian is back in form and should keep his place ahead of Pedro in the Chelsea attack while Callum Hudson-Odoi will be hoping his superb performance for the England U21s will be enough to see him keep his place ahead of Christian Pulisic.

Here is how we think Chelsea will line-up: