Cesc Fabregas has been included in Chelsea's starting line up for this afternoon's Premier League clash against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard only featured in the Blues' last game as a substitute but has been recalled for the first game since Jose Mourinho's departure.
Eden Hazard was substituted during Chelsea's defeat to Leicester citing a hip injury and has failed to make today's match day squad.
Diego Costa leads the front line flanked by Willian and Pedro while Oscar is set to start at number 10.
The back four features Branislav Ivanovic, captain John Terry, Kurt Zouma and Cesar Azpilicueta.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="fi">Chelsea team today: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Pedro; Diego Costa. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3140831-https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#CFC</a> — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/678213207266304000" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3140831-https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/678213207266304000" data-vars-event-id="c23">December 19, 2015</a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chelsea subs: Begovic, Cahill, Baba Rahman, Mikel, Ramires, Traore, Remy. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3140831-https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#CFC</a> — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/678213278334648321" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3140831-https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/678213278334648321" data-vars-event-id="c23">December 19, 2015</a>
Mourinho was sacked by the Blues on Thursday and a group of first-team coaches - including Steve Holland - will take charge of proceedings for the home side.
However, Guus Hiddink has been placed in temporary charge of the reigning champions and will take the reins at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season.
The Blues have won just four of their opening 16 games this term and are just a solitary point above the relegation zone ahead of today's game.
Sam Allardyce's side are two points worse off than the Blues and arrive at Stamford Bridge in search of their second victory on the road this term.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="ht"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAFC?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3140831-https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAFC?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#SAFC</a> XI v <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/chelsea" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3140831-https://twitter.com/chelsea" data-vars-event-id="c23">@Chelsea</a>: Pantilimon, Jones, Coates, Kaboul, O’Shea (c), PVA, M’Vila, Rodwell, Toivonen, Watmore, Defoe. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://t.co/wQPwOggLXf" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3140831-https://t.co/wQPwOggLXf" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/wQPwOggLXf</a> — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/678213203713748993" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3140831-https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/678213203713748993" data-vars-event-id="c23">December 19, 2015</a>
What they're saying
Technical Director Michael Emenalo: "This is the same group of players who won the league and league Cup last season. They did it in style and did it by showing commitment by sweat and blood, tears and blood, when needed.
“They played to instruction, they adhered to everything the manager asked them to do.
"There obviously seemed to be a palpable discord between manager and players and we feel it was time to act."
Sam Allardyce: “When you play 19th century football and get a result, it keeps you in a job. If you play 21st century football and keep losing, you’re out of a job.
“I’m sad to see Jose go, though. The Premier League is a poorer place without him."
