Chelsea are set to stage a friendly match behind closed doors against Portsmouth this weekend. Reports suggest that Xabi Alonso is eager to provide crucial minutes to a number of players who require additional match fitness.
The spotlight will be firmly on Marco Palestra, as the summer signing could make his long-awaited return to the pitch following a quadriceps injury that sidelined him at the start of the season.
Palestra is yet to make his official debut for Chelsea, having sustained the injury prior to the Premier League's opening weekend.
Furthermore, Alonso aims to maintain the fitness of players who did not join their national teams during the international break.
Chelsea's next Premier League encounter sees them face Bournemouth on October 10.
