Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel won't guarantee Carabao Cup action for Saul Niguez against Southampton this week.
Saul, on-loan from Atletico Madrid, was an unused substitute for Chelsea's 7-0 victory over Norwich City on Saturday, remaining on the bench as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley and Hakim Ziyech were brought on in the second half.
A midweek Carabao Cup game against Southampton could be an opportunity for the 26-year-old to make a case for his recall, but Tuchel says: "I have not decided yet if he plays or not, we will see but these are the moments, in the Carabao Cup, to give some players some minutes.
"Still, it needs to make sense and we need to be fair to the players in his position.
"Do we have his position available? That position where he can show his potential and then get better and better. Let's see. It is not decided yet but in general, yes."
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