Chelsea set to rest star men

Striker Diego Costa and forward Eden Hazard are among the front-line Chelsea players who could be rotated out of the starting XI for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie with Watford.

Petr Cech could replace Thibaut Courtois in goal, depending on the severity of the latter’s finger injury, while Oscar, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic could also be afforded a rest.

Jose Mourinho will aim to balance fielding a side to advance with one which gives his players a rest after an arduous festive fixture schedule which included Thursday’s 5-3 loss at Tottenham.

Provisional squad: Courtois, Cech, Ivanovic, Luis, Fabregas, Zouma, Ake, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Drogba, Mikel, Schurrle, Salah, Remy, Costa, Matic, Willian, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Schwarzer.