Both players started last weekend’s Premier League win over Spurs but are missing from today’s squad due to injury.

Maresca explained: ‘Benoit had a problem yesterday during the session. For now, we do not know how long he will be out for. As for Romeo, he can be available for the next game.’

Maresca made ten changes for today's game having left many of the first-team squad at home for the Blues' Conference League trip to Kazakhstan - the longest European away day in our history.

Pedro Neto is suspended for today's game at Stamford Bridge so it came as no surprise to see Noni Madueke given the starting berth and there were a further two changes to the XI that beat Spurs 4-3 a week ago.

Tosin retained his place having started against Astana, coming in for Badiashile, while Malo Gusto returns for Lavia, with Moises Caicedo expected to start in midfield.

Maresca was asked if he and his staff were ok after all their travelling, as part of his pre-match interview at Stamford Bridge this evening.

He said: ‘We landed around 6am on Friday morning but we are ok, we are ready, we are fresh, and hopefully we can win this game.’

Draws for both Liverpool and Arsenal on Saturday means second-placed Chelsea head into this clash just five points below the Reds at the summit.

The Blues know victory tonight would reduce Liverpool's lead to two points - although Arne Slot's side will have a game in hand come 9pm tonight.

However, Maresca said: ‘No [we are not using Liverpool's results as motivation], we have to think how to do our things, that is our main target, and our focus has to be just about that.’

Brentford are currently tenth in the Premier League table but with a game in hand on the teams above them, the Bees know a win would take them up to sixth.

Maresca is well aware of the threat the Londoners pose, especially due to their tactical flexibility, adding: 'We need to adapt quite quickly in case they do something different and adjust. We have to adapt as soon as possible because they can do different things.’

Tonight's match will not be televised in the UK but you can follow all the action as it happens with minute-by-minute updates in our Chelsea vs Brentford match centre on the official website and app.