Maresca calls on Blues to adapt to early kick-off

Chelsea's noon kick-off at Newcastle United in the English Premier League on May 11 is not ideal after their midweek Conference League game, but the team will adapt and prepare with Champions League places at stake, manager Enzo Maresca has said.

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LONDON -

The Blues beat Swedish side Djurgarden 1-0 in the second leg (5-1 on aggregate) on May 8 to reach the Conference League final, but will have less than 72 hours to turn their attention back to the Premier League top-five race when they travel to Tyneside.

Chelsea are fifth in the standings with 63 points and a goal difference of 21 - the same as Newcastle, who are fourth having scored four more goals than the London side this season.

"It's a 12pm kick-off and we played on Thursday night, so it's not the ideal situation. It's first thing in the morning. But we need to play the game," Maresca said.