Roberto Martinez has not ruled out the possibility of Samuel Eto’o making his Everton debut against his former club.
The Blues secured the signature of the 33-year-old triple Champions League winner on Tuesday evening.
Martinez will now closely study Eto’o’s first few training sessions before deciding whether he is ready to play a part against Jose Mourinho’s side.
“It is difficult,” said the Toffees chief. “Realistically I would have liked Samuel to have 10 or 11 sessions before we put him in a competitive environment and I tried to have that conversation.
“But I quite quickly learned that I was wasting my time. He wants to be helpful to the team straight away and he wants to be involved.
New signing Samuel Eto’o could be in line to make his debut against his former club.
“Everything will go down to what condition he is in over the next two or three days to make that decision.”
Meanwhile, loanee winger Christian Atsu is not eligible to face his parent club.
Bryan Oviedo (broken leg), Arouna Kone and Ross Barkley (both knee) are sidelined, though Romelu Lukaku (toe) could feature despite limping out of the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Steven Pienaar (groin) is a definite absentee, however, after he too was forced off against the Gunners last weekend.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa is a doubt for the clash having suffered an apparent hamstring injury in training on Wednesday, while forward Andre Schurrle (leg) could also miss out.
Chelsea have carried their impressive pre-season form into their first two games of the Premier League campaign and are one of only four sides to have taken the maximum six points.
Jose Mourinho’s side played 10 games in pre-season, winning seven, losing two and drawing one.
Diego Costa scores Chelsea’s opener against Leicester – but the striker is a doubt for Saturday.
That level of performance was continued as goals from Diego Costa, Andre Schurrle and Branislav Ivanovic helped the Londoners beat Premier League newcomers Burnley 3-1, before Costa again netted in a 2-0 victory over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Belgian Eden Hazard, last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year, also notched against the Foxes to open his tally for the campaign.
Chelsea 1-0 Everton, Saturday 22 February 2014
A stoppage-time goal from Frank Lampard condemned Everton to a 1-0 defeat they really didn’t deserve at Stamford Bridge back in February.
The Blues had stood toe-to-toe with their hosts until the Chelsea midfielder’s free-kick was diverted in by goalkeeper Tim Howard with 93 minutes on the clock.
Steven Naismith celebrates his winner against Chelsea at Goodison Park last season.
Everton had won the reverse fixture earlier in the season at Goodison Park, a Steven Naismith header giving Roberto Martinez his first win as Blues boss.
Tickets for Saturday’s game against Chelsea are still available. To buy, click here or call 0871 663 1878*.
Alternatively, visit the Park End Box Office at Goodison Park, Everton Two in Liverpool One or Ticket Quarter in Queen Square.
Latest transfer rumours and football stories brought to you every minute of every day. For more stories like this subscribe to the RSS feed or sign up to the newsletter.
Today only, in partnership with the club, we have a one-off special offer on new Everton memorabilia.