Chelsea are set to make a final decision on whether or not a host of their fringe players can leave the club, on loan or permanently, after Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Brentford.

Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, striker Michy Batshuayi and midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Charly Musonda are all waiting to hear definitively whether or not Chelsea will allow them out before the transfer window shuts next week.

Begovic’s situation could develop more quickly if Chelsea secure an attractive replacement for him before the weekend, but the Bosnia international is currently preparing to face Brentford.

Head coach Antonio Conte would ideally like to keep Begovic, Batshuayi and Loftus-Cheek at the club for the remainder of the season, but he also realises the trio are keen to play more regular first-team football.