Derby Vs Chelsea: Fabregas Returns Against The Rams

Playmaker Cesc Fabregas is available following suspension as Chelsea travel to Derby for their Capital One Cup quarter-final clash tonight.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is unlikely to be risked after missing the Premier League leaders’ win over Hull with a minor muscular injury, so Petr Cech is poised to continue in goal.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho plans to rest Gary Cahill, with Kurt Zouma coming in, and may make a number of other changes, rotating his players ahead of the heavy festive fixture list.
Derby will be without Ryan Shotton after the defender was sent off in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at the Riverside Stadium.

The Rams have no injury concerns heading into the tie, but manager Steve McClaren may decide to rotate his squad with Leon Best, Will Hughes and Jordan Ibe pushing for selection.

Derby (from): Grant, Roos, Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hendrick, Eustace, Hughes, Coutts, Mascarell, Bryson, Calero, Santos, Russell, Martin, Best, Ibe, Dawkins Chelsea (from): Cech, Ivanovic, Luis, Fabregas, Zouma, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Drogba, Mikel, Schurrle, Salah, Remy, Costa, Matic, Willian, Terry, Azpilicueta, Schwarzer, Beeney, Loftus-Cheek, Christensen.