Evan Ferguson could be given more time to recover fully after illness.

Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi has revealed he is unsure whether to use the Irish striker in Carabao Cup action at Chelsea tomorrow.

Ferguson missed the Europa League defeat by AEK Athens due to illness.

He returned at home to Bournemouth on Sunday but looked below his best and was withdrawn at half-time.

Now De Zerbi is weighing up what role to give him at Stamford Bridge, a venue where, coincidentally, he was injured last season.

The Seagulls boss said today: "I've not decided yet about Evan.

“I have to say thank you for Sunday because he wasn’t in the best physical condition but he wanted to play.

"We need the best condition of the players if we want to compete every three days.

"We have to change the first XI, we have to consider the condition and to take the best decision game by game."

De Zerbi revealed on Sunday he expects to be without Pascal Gross and James Milner until after the next international break due to muscular issues.

He confirmed today that continues to be the case.

But he is keen to field a strong a side as possible at Stamford Bridge as Albion make their entry into the competition.