Southampton opposition injury update: Ben Chilwell out, key attackers likely to feature for Chelsea

After yet another international break, Premier League football is back as Southampton visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

While Saints boss has a number of squad selection issues to contend with, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard has some similar headaches - though he could see a number of players feature in the starting XI after recovering from injury and illness.

INJURY UPDATE: Southampton injury update for Chelsea away

Let’s get Chelsea’s injury issues out of the way.

The Blues are unlikely to be fielding either Ben Chilwell - a big money defensive signing from Leicester City in the summer - or Billy Gilmour due to injury.

Chilwell was forced to withdraw from the England squad due to injury, missing the Three Lions’ wins over Wales and Belgium.

Gilmour is confirmed to be out as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

New goalkeeping signing Edouard Mendy is also a fitness doubt after he picked up a thigh injury while playing for Senegal in the week.

Timo Werner also missed out on international duty for Germany due to an illness, but he is expected to return to the first team to take on Southampton and former boss Hasenhuttl on Saturday.

Christian Pulisic is also set for a return to the starting XI after recovering from a hamstring injury. The American has been slowly reintroduced to playing football again, featuring for Lampard’s Chelsea against Crystal Palace before the break.

Hakim Ziyech could make his Chelsea debut on Saturday. The summer signing from Ajax played for Morocco against Senegal last Friday after missing an entire pre-season due to injury.