Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has calmed concerns over Cesc Fabregas's fitness by claiming that the Spaniard will play against Everton at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old was due to return to action in the Blues' 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, but was not named in the squad.

Fabregas, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona last summer, has been nursing a hamstring injury that he suffered against Liverpool last month.

"I think Fabregas plays on Wednesday because against Villa the decision was to protect him," the London Evening Standard quotes Mourinho as saying.

"I didn't want to risk two players at the same time because Willian had a minor problem from the previous game and was also risk. So to start two players with a risk was a big gamble. So we gambled with one."

Chelsea have a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.