Steven Gerrard moved Tuesday to quell
speculation about his future as manager of Rangers following last
weekend’s Scottish Cup defeat by Hearts by insisting he was “ready to go
again”.
After the 1-0 loss at Tynecastle on Saturday, a downbeat
Gerrard said it was “the lowest I felt since I came into the job by a
long way”.
The Liverpool great also said “I just need to think”, with Rangers facing the prospect of another season without a trophy.
West Bromwich Albion 4-3-3
Chelsea
Jorginho is available to face Liverpool on Tuesday night, as Premier League suspensions triggered by accumulated yellow cards do not apply to domestic cups. He will start here as a result.
Frank Lampard looks set to be without Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi for the welcome of Liverpool on Tuesday night.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is expected to make his long-awaited return from injury on Tuesday night but likely from the bench.
Kepa has been demoted as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper in league and Europe but should get a chance to impress here.
Antonio Rudiger was dropped against Bournemouth and will hope to return here.
Kayserispor
Alpay Celebi, Hakan Arikan, Ziya Alkurt, Hasan Husyein Acar, Anthony Uzodimma and Levent Gulen, none of whom were expected to start, are sidelined with injury.
Middlesbrough
George Friend and Ashley Fletcher both suffered hamstring injuries against Leeds and will miss this match.
Lukas Nmecha and Britt Assombalonga are the men likely to replace them in the starting XI.
Portsmouth
Kenny Jackett is sweating on the fitness of Ronan Curtis and Tom Naylor, who both sustained knocks against Rochdale, but should be fit to start here.
The Portsmouth boss could name the same XI that started on Friday night with Christian Burgess suspended for Pompey’s next league match.
Steve Seddon impressed off the bench on Friday and is pushing for a start.