If Chelsea can do the business away at Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, Xabi Alonso's side would have won four of their five Premier League games since the international break.

With the trip to the Stadium of Light being the Blues' last match before the second international break of the season, three points on Wearside would make the last few weeks seem really productive for Alonso and his players.

Sunderland are rock bottom of the Premier League table going into matchday 10 of the season after a torrid start for Regis Le Bris' side. However, Chelsea know just how difficult a trip to the north east can be and how Black Cats supporters can generate a raucous atmosphere when required.

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Alonso and his coaching staff have a big few days ahead of them to prepare Chelsea for a crucial Premier League fixture. On Tuesday, the Blues were back at their Cobham base to begin their preparations - and here is everything we spotted from the pictures released by the club:

Crucial injury boost

Emiliano Martinez was doing some gym work on Tuesday as the Chelsea goalkeeper continues his recovery from a fractured jaw. The Argentine shot-stopper had successful surgery on the injury last month after a collision in the win away at Everton.

Martinez is likely to miss this weekend's trip to Sunderland but could return after the international break. If that is the case, the former Aston Villa goalkeeper might well wear a protective mask, with sources saying that is an option that has been considered to accommodate an earlier return to action.

Chelsea, though, do not necessarily need to rush Martinez back due to the form of his understudy Mike Penders in the last couple of games. After a nightmare full Premier League debut against Tottenham, where Penders scored a calamitous own goal to give Spurs the lead at Stamford Bridge, the Belgium international responded excellently against Liverpool and Manchester United in the following matches.

Alonso has been delighted with the 21-year-old's mental strength to overcome such a mistake. Penders is set to continue in goal at the Stadium of Light this weekend, but whether that's the case when Leeds United come to Stamford Bridge in the first game post-international break on November 21 remains to be seen.

Estevao continues hard work

The return of Estevao Willian to the side was the talk of the town after Chelsea beat Man United by two goals to nil on Saturday afternoon. The 19-year-old Brazilian made his first Premier League start of the season with Alonso answering the supporters' calls - and he made a real difference to the Blues attacking line.

Now, Estevao will be hoping to make it back-to-back starts in the Premier League for the first time this term. He was spotted out on the Cobham grass on Tuesday as the sun beamed down on Chelsea's Surrey base.

Estevao needs to continue to impress Alonso and Co. behind the scenes in his bid to be included in the XI on Wearside. However, he faces stern competition for his place in the team.

Lavia building momentum

Romeo Lavia has - rightly so - received mass plaudits for his excellent display in the win over United at the weekend. The Belgian midfielder arguably put in his best performance in a Chelsea shirt to help the Blues overcome Michael Carrick's team.

After completing 90 minutes - for the first time since signing for the club in 2023 - against Liverpool last week, Lavia followed it up with another full match against United. This is, by his own admission, the best physical condition the 22-year-old midfielder has been in for a long time.

Lavia was involved in Tuesday's training session, with the club releasing a picture of him passing the ball out on the pitch. Jordan Henderson was not spotted in the photos (it's worth noting he could have been involved even if he wasn't pictured) after he missed the weekend's game due to illness.

Either way, Lavia has put himself in strong contention to start against Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.

Every Chelsea player pictured in training: Emiliano Martinez, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Josh Acheampong, Valentin Barco, Morgan Rogers, Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia, Pep Chavarria, Cole Palmer, Mike Penders, Geovany Quenda, Estevao Willian