Liam Delap, who has been out for two months with a hamstring injury, is back in training and available for the match. However, he will need to gradually build up his fitness over time.

For cup matches like this, Chelsea's manager believes in rotating the team to give players who don't usually start a chance to play. This helps to protect the regular starters and prevent them from getting too fatigued throughout the season.

Maresca plans to make some changes to the lineup, but he will also consider protecting players who are struggling or need a break. This includes Enzo Fernandez, Moi Caicedo, and Joao Pedro, who all have different reasons for needing protection.

When asked about the team's chances of reaching the Carabao Cup quarterfinals, Maresca said they will take it one game at a time. Their goal is to win each match and then think about the next one.

Chelsea have scored a lot of goals from set pieces this season, but Maresca pointed out that they also concede goals from set pieces. He emphasized the importance of improving other areas of the team's performance, as they are currently leading the Premier League in scoring goals.