Christopher Nkunku has dropped an early hint that he will be starting tonight, but other Chelsea stars are keeping their cards close to their chests regarding team selection.

Boasting a perfect record in the Europa Conference League so far this season, the Blues have already booked their spot beyond the initial group phase. But can they make it six from six tonight?

Shamrock Rovers are due to head to Stamford Bridge (8pm). It means Enzo Maresca and his players will not need to go through the rigmarole of so much travel as they encountered in their last European match.

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Seven days ago, the Blues found themselves in Kazakhstan for a meeting with Astana.

The 16-hour trip was a huge talking point before and after a 3-1 victory which saw several promising young players handed their chance to impress on a senior stage. Previously this season, the head coach has used this competition as a springboard for fringe players - but not to the extent he shuffled the Chelsea pack last time around.

"Eight hours [one way] is not a normal time [to travel] for a game," said Maresca before the Astana game.

"But we have to go there, we have to play and we want to try to do our best, thinking also about the next game."

Astana and the next game - a Premier League date with Brentford - came and went with two victories for Chelsea as the future and present helped keep the momentum going. Now, with European regular Nkunku expected to play against Shamrock, what is - in effect - a third team for as many matches is expected to be deployed.

As is customary in the modern game, Nkunku re-posted a matchday graphic on his Instagram story this afternoon. Usually, that indicates a significant role for him in tonight's match, or at least some involvement.

However, as thing stand, his Chelsea teammates have been relatively tight-lipped. Nkunku, though, appears rather confident he's about to get the nod after scoring five goals in four European outings so far this campaign.