Rafael Benitez has insisted that Chelsea's participation in the Europa League will not hamper their domestic form.

The Blues face Sparta Prague in the first leg of their last-32 tie this week, and the interim-manager believes that the pattern of playing in European competition on Thursdays and domestic action on Sundays will not derail his side's momentum.

"Thursday-Sunday is fine because in the Champions League it was sometimes Wednesday-Saturday," the Spaniard told ESPN.

"The most important thing is in the players' heads. In England there is a tradition of playing on Saturday. But in Spain I won the Uefa Cup with Valencia playing on Thursday and Sunday, which was just the same.

"We can manage if we have enough bodies. I expect them to be focused and to concentrate, they will realise that it's Europe and they must give 100%."

Chelsea are playing in the Europa League after being knocked out of the group stages of the Champions League.