Chelsea XI vs Hull City: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for FA Cup | OneFootball

Liam Rosenior facing two high-profile absentees

Chelsea captain Reece James is still suffering from illness ahead of Friday’s FA Cup match at Hull City.

James missed Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Leeds after falling unwell, and that was after he had also sat out of Chelsea’s previous two matches with a knock.

He has since recovered from the knock but must overcome illness, too, before he can return to the pitch.

It is too early to determine the severity of the hamstring injury that forced Marc Cucurella off at half-time against Leeds but he will not be involved against Hull.

Rosenior added: “Reece trained modified [on Wednesday]. He’s still under the weather. We’ll make a decision tomorrow [Thursday] but it’s good that he’s back on the training pitch.

“He has had a really bad bug but hopefully he recovers.”

Rosenior is expected to ring the changes when he names his team to face the club he has represented as both a player and a manager.

That means James may not start even if he is passed fit, as Rosenior could also call on Malo Gusto or Josh Acheampong at right-back.

It is likely that regular starters such as Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Trevoh Chalobah will be handed a rest, and there could be a change of goalkeeper if Rosenior also wishes to rest Robert Sanchez.

There is expected to be a first appearance for Mamadou Sarr since the Senegal international was recalled from his loan at Strasbourg. He will either start the game or appear off the bench as a substitute.

Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Sarr, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Neto, Estevao, Garnacho; Delap

Injured: Lavia, Colwill, Essugo, Cucurella, Gittens, Jorgensen

Doubts: Tosin, James

Time and date: 7:45pm GMT on Friday, February 13, 2026

Venue: MKM Stadium