Wesley Fofana was a longer-term absentee with a hamstring issue, but in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Maresca confirmed that the French defender was back in training. “Wes is back. He is training with us,” Maresca said.

Chelsea return to action for the first time since their FIFA Club World Cup triumph when they welcome Bayer Leverkusen to Stamford Bridge for a showpiece preseason friendly.