Kante, 31, is absent with a hamstring injury while Mendy, 30, missed the defeat by Zagreb with a knee problem.

Potter, 47, is expected to otherwise have a full squad to choose from.

Chelsea's new boss will be managing in Europe's elite competition for the first time, having previously taken Ostersund from the fourth tier in Sweden to the Europa League.

"It's a good time for me to get into the dugout," said Potter. "My experiences in the Champions League are just at supporter level.

"But obviously I've experienced the Europa League with Ostersund, winning at Galatasaray and getting through the group stage.

"Wherever we would start it would be a heck of an introduction, wherever we start it's going to be brilliant, so why not start here?"

RB Salzburg boss Matthias Jaissle was expecting to take on old friend Tuchel, but has instead switched his preparation to the former Brighton boss.

"It's a bit of a pity - I know him personally," said Jaissle of Tuchel. "But we had to be professionals. We haven't seen any games of the new manager with Chelsea, but we know about their individual quality.

"We have analysed their character and the new manager with ideas from (his) old club. We are very well prepared.

"It was incredible, just the drive here, to go through London, to come here to here to the stadium, to soak up the atmosphere, it's something incredible - it's a dream come true for me."