Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi could make an early return from injury.
Iwobi was set to be sidelined for three weeks with ankle ligament damage sustained during last week’s third round FA Cup exit to Manchester United.
The Nigeria international has become an integral figure for Frank Lampard’s side, making 22 appearances in all competitions to date this season.
But the Blues’ manager revealed on Friday that Iwobi is in line for a potential comeback in the visit of fellow Premier League relegation rivals Southampton.
“It’s a lesser injury than what we thought,” said Lampard.
“We’ll see in the morning whether he’s ready to play tomorrow.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also expected to feature against the Saints but Andros Townsend’s recovery from a knee problem is still some time away.
Lampard added: “He’s in a good place, he’s had a nice week training.
“We’ve been managing him as well as we possibly can so he’s in a good place, he’s fit.
“Andros is still a few weeks away and because it’s been a difficult injury I’ll come back to you as such when it feels like he’s really getting close because I don’t want to put pressure on him but hopefully a few weeks away.”
Lampard also revealed that fellow midfielder James Garner is due to return to action in February following a back injury picked up in the World Cup break.