Kick-off for today’s game is scheduled for 7pm and tickets are still available to purchase

Chelsea will be in search of victory knowing that victory will give them the opportunity to top the PL2 albeit having played a game more than first-placed Manchester City.

Words from the coach

This season has seen a number of development squad players make men's first-team appearances under Graham Potter and Under-21s coach Mark Robinson is full of praise for Bashir Humphreys, Omari Hutchinson and Lewis Hall.

He said: ‘You just feel proud of them as do all the staff. You feel a lot more nervous watching them than you do managing them as you obviously want them to do themselves justice, so you are literally kicking every ball with them!’

‘From a coach’s perspective you are also looking to see how they perform under pressure, how they are conducting themselves and is the education environment you are providing for them working and if not what we need to do to improve it.’

Robinson was also quick to praise the rest of the group that has been performing throughout the season. It has been a group effort for the great run of form which has seen them win three of the last five PL2 games and be unbeaten in the last 10 games of the same competition.

‘I am really impressed,' he said. 'I love working with them. They come in every day looking to improve, willing to try new ideas and understanding how important it is that they take a high degree of ownership in certain areas of their development.’

Robinson has been consistent in wanting his players to take ownership of their development by working hard and performing on a matchday and he adds that training levels have never been higher.

‘They are currently training at a fantastic intensity when required and it's showing in their performances currently. I feel like they are understanding how important it is for them to develop a relentless intrinsic motivation to improve, which doesn't just mean working hard. It means looking at all areas of their life that will help them to perform at an elite level every game.’

On a side note, the development squad head coach spoke on how players who may not get as many minutes remain motivated to compete.

‘You have to communicate with them and be honest with them. They are not playing as much as they would like for a reason, so you need to tell them what that reason is, give them targets and areas to improve on and provide an education programme that helps them reach those targets.

He added that: ‘You are not going to make a player who is not playing happy, but I believe you can keep them stimulated and focused. Every situation they find themselves in is a learning opportunity and you need to help them understand that.’

Last time out

Our young Blues put on a scintillating display in a cold Leicester as they took down the Foxes with a convincing first-half display which saw them score two well-worked goals.

Dion Rankine scored the first as he showed great reactions and off-the-ball movement to turn in Ben Elliott’s cross.

Charlie Webster then scored a brilliantly struck shot from distance after being laid off by Rankine.

A professional second-half performance followed as our boys were comfortable in seeing out the game.

Academy news

In other Academy news, Jayden Wareham has returned to the club following a loan at Leyton Orient. The forward played seven matches in all competitions for the Os scoring twice with both his goals coming in the EFL Trophy.