Town have made three changes for this afternoon’s game at Chelsea with Leif Davis, Jack Clarke and George Hirst coming into the team for Conor Townsend, Nathan Broadhead and Liam Delap.

Davis returns at left-back with Clarke ahead of him on the left with Julio Enciso moving into the middle. Hirst replaces Delap as the number nine with all three players dropping out of the XI on the bench.

Explaining Delap’s absence from the starting line-up, manager Kieran McKenna said: “Liam has got a nasty rib injury that he picked up in the last game," said McKenna.

“He's been in pain this week, not been able to train uninhibited. He's done well to make the bench, to be fair.

“He's a tough boy. There's some who wouldn’t be here today. He’s tough and committed. If we can make the game competitive and find a way to be in the game in the later stages I know he'll be itching from the sideline to come and make the difference.”

Omari Hutchinson remains out with his hamstring injury, while Kalvin Phillips is also absent from the squad due to the effects of his recent foot injury, with Massimo Luongo on the bench.

Chelsea make five changes from their 0-0 draw at Brentford last weekend and nine from their 3-0 Europa Conference League victory at Legia Warsaw on Thursday.

Chelsea: Sanchez, Chalobah, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez (c), Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson Subs: Jorgensen, James, Gusto, Acheampong, Badiashile, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Sancho, Nkunku.

Town: Palmer, Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis, Morsy (c), Cajuste, Johnson, Enciso, J Clarke, Hirst. Subs: Walton, Woolfenden, Townsend, Taylor, Luongo, Philogene, Chaplin, Broadhead, Delap. Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire). VAR official: Michael Salisbury.

Photo: Matchday Images

TimmyH added 13:51 - Apr 13 Already preparing for life without Delap and Davis back in suggests this could be an easier afternoon for Chelsea. Johnson playing in that roll further forwards on the right doesn't do it for me neither.
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Gforce added 13:57 - Apr 13 Feel for Townsend ,deserved to keep his place on recent performances.As for Delap at least he can't pick up a yellow card and a possible 2 game ban.
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Leejames99 added 14:08 - Apr 13 Point why we going down right there today 50% squad league 1 players . Luongo, Taylor, Morsy, Davis it's just madness, only choice up too in Prem league is couple goals a season Leicester reject G Hirst, although is funny when he scores he surprised himself. 4-1 Chelsea - Enciso wonder goal 3 out of 4 goal on Davis side Morsy to give a way a pen, Delap cones on gets yellow Roll on next season a fresh start. COYB

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Skip73 added 14:33 - Apr 13 2-0 up
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Leejames99 added 14:33 - Apr 13 Okay okay, I take it back, Hirst playing well, Johnson great, Davis still shocking
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Skip73 added 14:35 - Apr 13 We may still lose but its a promising start.
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Dissboyitfc added 14:39 - Apr 13 Great start, next goal wins this!
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blues1 added 15:07 - Apr 13 TimmyH. Really? Try reading the story before commenting. Delap got a rib injury. Townsend went off last week with a slight hamstring issue, which is why Davis is back in . Oh, and look. Johnson 1,assist 1,goal in 1st half.
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Leejames99 added 15:10 - Apr 13 Was right about Davis too, he has just forgot how to defend
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Leejames99 added 15:22 - Apr 13 Need go back five urgent take Davis and Morsy and J Clarke ooff bring Woolf, Townsend and Delap on and go 5-3-2 come Mckenna shut shop, not another 2-0 lead lost please Tunazabe O'Shea Woolf Burgess Townsend Cajuste Johnson Enciso Hirst Delap Need defend just leave 2 up with Enciso playmaker
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Leejames99 added 16:05 - Apr 13 Fair play lads good away point, Mckenna doesn't need to do after match interview "Good game, no doubt about that, fine margins and some good moments and we will take positives going forward, fans were brilliant there is no doubt about that, we will fight to the end but its been part of the journey and we will be stronger for it there is no doubt about that, I bought Davis off because Lee James was right about him he has no confidence right now. I'm looking forward to the next tough game vs Arsenal it will be a tough one, no doubt about that, we have played well and its those fine margins but lots of positive from the game that we will take onboard moving forward, for that there's no doubt!" Lol

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TimmyH added 16:24 - Apr 13 Very minor injury with Delap...didn't look like he was carrying anything and Townsend the same...and yes correct about Johnson, one of his best games for Town (certainly in that 1st half) but he hasn't had many and largely disappointing this season. You're always trying to correct people.
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