Chelsea are expecting to welcome three players back to Enzo Maresca's squad when they face Manchester United, though Jadon Sancho has been definitively ruled out of making an Old Trafford return.

Confidence will be high for the hosts having just secured their next permanent manager - Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP. Whilst it will not be the 39-year-old in the dugout on Sunday as Ruud van Nistelrooy continues on an interim basis, the mood is improving nonetheless.

A battle between Premier League heavyweights will be a big test for the Dutchman, but one he will feel his side can come through after securing Carabao Cup progression in midweek. Chelsea were knocked out of the competition by Newcastle, and although much closer to the top of the table than Man United at this stage find themselves in that similar position of falling from their perch in recent years.

The first port of call in Maresca's Chelsea press conference on Friday was a welcome message for Amorim. He said: "First of all, all the best to him. If the people in charge took that decision it is because they think it's the correct one. All the best to him and all the best to Manchester United."

The Blues' manager also spoke warmly about Van Nistelrooy, whom he shared a dressing room in their year at Malaga together between 2011 and 2012. "I haven't spoken with Ruud. I will give him a big hug on Sunday before the game. We expect a tough game," he added.

It was then time for Maresca to confirm the state of his squad, to which he answered: "They are all available apart from Jadon [Sancho] because he has been ill in the last days."

Regardless of the 24-year-old's health, he would not have been eligible to face his parent club whilst on loan from Man United in the first place. Only in cup competitions to the Football Association permit this to be allowed.

So ultimately this would mean Maresca can welcome back three players he rested during Chelsea's midweek defeat at St. James' Park - Cole Palmer, Reece James and Wesley Fofana.

Speaking about the former - a Man United supporter in his youth who downed Erik ten Hag's team at Stamford Bridge last season with a hat-trick rounded off by two stoppage time goals - he confirmed Palmer is lined up for a starring role.

"He is going to play. Cole is doing every time very good," the Italian explained. "I said at the beginning of the season; if we expect 20 goals and 20 assists from him, then it is probably wrong because we don't need to put all of the pressure on his shoulders. He has to enjoy football.

"If he enjoys, for sure he is going to score and assist his teammates. Cole is playing well, not only when he is scoring goals, but he is playing well when he doesn't score because he allows the rest to play in a great way."