Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva is one of eight players who will miss Saturday's Premier League encounter with champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The 39-year-old was forced off in the second half of Monday's 3-1 win at Crystal Palace with a groin injury, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that the Brazilian will not be fit to feature this weekend.

Carney Chukwuemeka twisted his ankle in training earlier this week and will join Benoit Badiashile (groin), Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Romeo Lavia (all hamstring) and Marc Cucurella (ankle) in the treatment room.

However, Chelsea will be boosted by the return of goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez, who is expected to replace Dorde Petrovic between the sticks after 10 weeks out with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Pochettino has allayed fears of Malo Gusto picking up an injury in the closing stages against Palace, and the 20-year-old right-back is expected to retain his place in the back four, while the absence of Silva could see Levi Colwill recalled to partner Axel Disasi in central defence.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are expected to continue in a midfield triumvirate with Conor Gallagher, who scored twice against his former club Palace, while Pochettino will ponder whether to select ex-Man City man Cole Palmer as a false nine or on the right flank, where he provided two assists after switching positions in the second half on Monday.

Should Palmer operate on the right, either Nicolas Jackson or Christopher Nkunku could take up the centre-forward spot. The latter's potential inclusion would likely see Jackson begin once again on the left, meaning Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke would all be forced to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Gallagher, Jackson; Nkunku

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