Joao Pedro has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for their London derby with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The striker, who has scored five goals and made three assists in the Premier League this season, suffered a knee injury which ruled him out of Chelsea’s match with Brentford ahead of the September international break, and he withdrew from Brazil duty.

He returned to the Chelsea team to score twice against Bournemouth and then played 90 minutes against Everton last weekend. But Joao Pedro is not involved for the clash with Spurs, and manager Xabi Alonso is set to confirm the nature of the injury ahead of the game.

Danny Welbeck may have expected to start in Joao Pedro’s place, but instead right winger Geovany Quenda comes into the Chelsea line-up, with either Cole Palmer or Morgan Rogers likely to lead the line through the centre.

more to follow...