TAKE-OFF FOR TURKEY

A squad of 21 players is travelling from London to Istanbul today (Monday) ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match.

David Luiz and John Mikel Obi are both included. They missed Saturday’s win over Everton due to injury and Oscar also travels. Jose Mourinho reported after Saturday’s game that the Brazilian attacking midfielder, who was substituted at half-time, had discomfort in his ankle.

Henrique Hilario is the third goalkeeper having been added, along with Tomas Kalas, to the Champions League squad A-List for the knockout phase. Nathan Ake is the one young player from the B-List travelling.

January signings Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah cannot play for Chelsea in the Champions League this season having appeared in the group stage for their former clubs.

The full squad is:

Petr Cech, Mark Schwarzer, Henrique Hilario, John Terry, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Ashley Cole, Cesar Azpilicueta, Branislav Ivanovic, Tomas Kalas, Nathan Ake, Frank Lampard, John Mikel Obi, Ramires, Oscar, Eden Hazard, Andre Schurrle, Willian, Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o, Demba Ba.

The journey to Turkey is two days before the match due to the travelling time involved. The players trained at Cobham this morning and will do so again in Istanbul tomorrow.

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