Thomas Tuchel has confirmed the Chelsea team news to face West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea are hoping to get back to winning ways after losing 2-1 to Southampton in midweek. West Ham head across the capital for the re-arranged fixture on the back of a 1-1 draw against fellow Londoners Tottenham Hotspur.
It's another London derby for the two sides and both will be keen to claim the bragging rights to climb up the table.
Chelsea have seven points from their first five Premier League games, while David Moyes' side are down in 14th with just four points.
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Tuchel will welcome back Conor Gallagher from suspension to ease his midfield issues with N'Golo Kante ruled out for at least three more weeks with a hamstring problem.
Mateo Kovacic is still returning to full fitness following a knee problem. They signed Denis Zakaria on loan from Juventus on Deadline Day to ease the midfield selection headache, however he won't be involved on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked up a hamstring problem on Tuesday but was expected to be fit on Saturday and Tuchel has confirmed his availability and the rest of the team news for the London derby on Friday afternoon in his pre-match press conference.
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Reece James is also available, while Kante remains sidelined as everyone else trained at Cobham ahead of the game.
He said: “Both are back in training and available. It’s only N’Golo out. Everybody else is in training. A group of 19 players. It will be with Auba and Denis Zakaria, will be 21 players plus goalkeepers.”
On new arrival Zakaria, he added: “My latest information is that we need to work on the work permit. He will not be in the squad for Saturday. That is too close. We hope for Tuesday and then for Fulham.”
On West Ham, Tuchel delivered his verdict: “Was a good match of football (West Ham vs Spurs). I enjoyed watching it from both teams. West Ham was very strong. They are what they are, a very physical team. I have the feeling they are a strong group with a good team spirit, a strong group together with the manager.
"They know what they are. They have periods where they can create huge moments, momentums within minutes. They have periods where they dig in and defend deep with a lot of discipline. Always ready to hurt you on counter attacks with speed and physicality. Then a lot of crosses with Soucek arriving in the box for headers with set pieces where they are strong and physical.
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"They struggled a little bit getting results and growing into the season. They had also some late signings, which injected a lot of quality and personality. Will be a tough derby.
“We need to step up. We have like how many games to go in the Premier League? If we don’t get tough we will get punished. This is not what we want.
"We will show a reaction that we can do this. It’s proven we can do it with this group. We need to find that spirit, find the right spirit and attitude throughout the matches. This includes me, my staff and the team.
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"We are now at the moment using the momentum that we know who is in the squad.
"From now on we will show a new face and have to show a new face and toughness.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Premier League, West Ham United
