Joao Felix debut? Possible Chelsea lineup vs Fulham

Graham Potter is not expected to throw new Chelsea signing Joao Felix straight into his starting line-up as the manager prepares for a London derby against an impressive Fulham side.

The forward on Wednesday joined from Atletico Madrid for the remainder of the season, and has trained with his new team-mates, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to be handed a rare start.

With Christian Pulisic out for a “couple of months” and Raheem Sterling no closer to returning, the out-of-form summer addition should partner Kai Havertz in attack.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is in training but still not fit enough to play after his ankle injury, while Ben Chilwell is slowly edging closer to a return from his hamstring injury.

Chelsea also remain without N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Armando Broja with a total of 10 players out of their west London derby match.

James is back out running on grass and Kante is doing individual training but they are not expected back this week with no precise timeframe given for their recovery.

However, Aubameyang returned from a back injury that kept him out of the 4-0 FA Cup third-round defeat to Manchester City on Sunday and could be drafted in for his first start since the World Cup. Felix will be hoping for his first minutes off the bench, should the Premier League confirm his eligibility for the game.

The Blues will likely pick an experienced side after winning just one of their last eight Premier League matches.

The Blues are in tenth, 10 points off the top four places to qualify for the Champions League and three points behind their west London rivals in the Premier League table.

Predicted Chelsea XI to face Fulham: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Kovacic, Mount, Jorginho; Ziyech, Aubameyang, Havertz