Carling Cup Team News: Youngsters To Start

Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow night’s Carling Cup Third Round clash with Fulham, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas indicated that he would be using the tie and indeed the competition to hand opportunities to the club’s younger generation.

Villas-Boas confirmed that Josh McEachran, Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu and Romelu Lukaku would all be part of the starting eleven, whilst Didier Drogba is also expected to make a return to action after suffering a concussion and facial injuries against Norwich City.

Keen to deflect attention away from Sunday’s 3-1 reverse at Old Trafford and towards the midweek fixture, Villas-Boas said “We have chosen this approach [to the Carling Cup] to promote the youngsters….I think opportunities will be given to our youngest players.”

He also indicated that should the Blues progress through the competition, a similar approach would be adopted as a matter of principle.

Backup goalkeeper Hilário is the only notable absentee through injury, and will also be unavailable for the weekend league match at home to Swansea City.

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