Brighton v Chelsea line-ups: Courtois out, Barkley in squad, five Albion changes

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out of Chelsea’s trip to Brighton with an ankle injury, meaning Willy Caballero makes his Premier League debut for the Blues.

The Belgian’s absence is a further blow for boss Antonio Conte, who is already without Gary Cahill (muscle) and Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) through injury and the suspended Pedro and Alvaro Morata.

The Spanish pair serve bans after both being sent off during Wednesday’s FA Cup win against Norwich.

Michy Batshuayi starts in place of Morata, while Andreas Christensen comes in for Cahill and Willian replaces Fabregas.

Recent signing Ross Barkley is in the squad and could make his debut from the bench.

The England international, who had hamstring surgery last summer, featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against QPR’s development side on Thursday, scoring twice.

Brighton switch to three at the back to match up Chelsea’s formation, bringing in Connor Goldson in defence as one of five changes to their line-up.

Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell is out with a fractured ankle while new signing Jurgen Locadia will not be fit until February.

Brighton: Ryan; Duffy, Dunk, Goldson; Schelotto, Stephens, Propper, Gross, Suttner; March; Hemed.
Subs: Krul, Rosenior, Huenemeier, Kayal, Izquierdo, Murray, Baldock.

Chelsea: Caballero; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso; Willian, Batshuayi, Hazard.
Subs: Eduardo, Luiz, Zappacosta, Sterling, Ampadu, Barkley, Musonda.