Why Reece James and Pedro Neto are missing from Chelsea squad against Arsenal today | OneFootball

Blues handed double fitness blow ahead of Carabao Cup semi-final decider

Reece James and Pedro Neto are not involved for Chelsea against Arsenal tonight after failing fitness tests.

It is not yet known whether James or Neto will be available for Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Wolves at the weekend, but they are considered doubts by head coach Liam Rosenior.

"It's a shame, hopefully will be back for the next one."

The good news for Chelsea is that Liam Delap, Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto - who all missed the first leg - have been selected to start in what appears to be a change of formation from the visitors.

Cole Palmer, surprisingly, is named on the bench despite completing 90 minutes in the comeback win over West Ham at the weekend.

Explaining the decision, Rosenior said it is mixture of managing the attacking midfielder’s minutes as well as keeping an eye on changing the game late on.

Rosenior added: “We need to be careful with Cole [Palmer] and think about the possibility of extra-time.

“Cole is somebody who we know can change the game and affect the game.

“We have to manage him in the right way. I have full faith in the XI and the bench, and we are going to need them if we are going to get through.”