The Blues return to top-flight action at Stamford Bridge for the first time in more than a month and will be looking to secure three points that advance us up the Premier League table.

Pochettino's options in defence were boosted last week by the respective returns of Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella. However, they have been dented this with both Colwill and Chilwell now sidelined.

Chelsea may also be without Gallagher on Monday night, with the Academy graduate yet to train this week due to a virus.

'So far, no [players are back]. It’s the same situation as last week,' said Pochettino at his pre-match press conference. 'You all know the list of injured players and also it now has Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell.

'Gallagher also hasn’t been training because he has had a virus. That is the news from the medical team. We will see tomorrow or Saturday if he [Gallagher] will have the possibility to train.

'The problem with this situation is that [after an illness] the energy is down and you need time to recover. We will see if he can be available and ask what is the situation. Can he play? Play only a few minutes? We will need to assess him in the next few days.'

Pochettino confirmed Chilwell's injury is to his knee and that the England international will be further assessed in the days ahead.

'We need to wait until he has seen a specialist,' said the Blues head coach. 'We hope it is not a big issue but in this moment, after eight or nine months at the club, I prefer to be cautious and wait.

'It was his knee and we only found out after the game [against Brentford]. It was the same with Colwill. We finished with two players who then couldn't train. Levi's problem is his toe.'

The Monday night showdown at the Bridge will be our third meeting with Newcastle this season following a penalty shootout win in the Carabao Cup quarter-final followed by a disappointing afternoon at St James Park.

The Magpies have endured a mixed spell of late, but Pochettino insists his focus is on ensuring the Blues find consistency despite the new injuries that have been suffered.

‘The most important thing is to work on us. I am concentrated on our performance and the way we are going to deal, now, without two or three starters from the last game.

'So we’ll need different solutions to deal with these injuries. Maybe we see if (Marc) Cucurella arrives in good condition or if we need to change the way we play.

‘We have been focused in the last three days on providing the team the best balance with all the possibility to be consistent and perform in the way we need to perform.

'Of course, we know Newcastle and can assess Newcastle, but the most important thing is the balance we are going to find the balance in the team, be consistent and perform in the way we need to perform.’