The Blues head to St James’ Park looking to reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup and Maresca confirmed at his pre-match press conference that he has a full bill of health to select from.

‘‘There are no injuries, so everything is fine,' Maresca confirmed.

‘It will be a tough game and of course we have concerns about the opposition like we do for each fixture, but we played two days ago so we know what they are like.

‘We will see how today’s training session goes and then we will make a decision on who plays.’

The Blues have recently welcomed Reece James back into the side after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with our Italian head coach confirming the skipper is feeling good and available for selection.

Maresca said: ‘He played two games in a row with us in the Premier League – against Liverpool and Newcastle – and in both games he was very good. It didn’t surprise me because I know him and how important he is for us, for his teammates, for the club.

‘So the only thing we want is to do is keep him fit and this is the main target for him.’

Wesley Fofana is another who has impressed so far this season having similarly overcome long-term injury problems.

The France international has cemented his place as a regular in the side under Maresca, often featuring in the heart of defence alongside Levi Colwill.

Maresca said: ‘He had a bad moment in the first half, very bad, but he is a fighter and was probably playing with pain. I said in one of my press conferences that I really love Wes because it’s not easy after more than one year out to come back and be a fighter like he is...But he finished well, he looks ok, and this is the most important thing.'