Chelsea FC XI vs Everton: Lukaku out - Confirmed lineup, team news and injury latest for Premier League today

Chelsea thought they were finally seeing their injury problems ease ahead of facing Everton – with N’Golo Kante fit for the bench.

The France midfielder is in the squad for tonight’s match at Stamford Bridge, meaning Thomas Tuchel is sticking with the pairing of Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the centre of the park.

Romelu Lukaku does not start his first Premier League game since October 16 after coming back from an ankle injury – and is absent from the squad altogether.

The Belgian, along with Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi is out with Covid-1 while Kai Havertz also misses out awaiting the results of a test.

Trevoh Chalobah is available again following a hamstring strain and makes the bench, which contains just eight players from a possible nine.

Chelsea are still without Mateo Kovacic, who is isolating with Covid, and Ben Chilwell who is recovering from knee ligament damage and has also tested positive.

Chelsea XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount, Pulisic, Ziyech.

Subs: Kepa, Bettinelli, Chalobah, Christensen, Sarr, Kante, Saul, Barkley.