Chelsea team news vs Roma: Lauren James starts as Keira Walsh named on bench

Chelsea team news vs Roma sees Lauren James named in the starting XI and Keira Walsh among the substitutes for Wednesday’s Women’s Champions League match at Plough Lane.

Erin Cuthbert captains Sonia Bompastor’s side, with Aggie Beever-Jones and Alyssa Thompson also starting. Kick-off is at 5.45pm GMT.

Chelsea team news vs Roma: confirmed line-up

The starting XI and substitutes were named in Chelsea’s official team announcement.

Chelsea: Hampton, Bronze, Buchanan, Buurman, Baltimore, Cuthbert (c), Potter, Kaptein, Thompson, James, Beever-Jones.

Substitutes: Peng, Spencer, Bjorn, Carpenter, McCabe, Walsh, Hamano, Dragoni, Nusken, Brown, Matsukubo, Malard.

Veerle Buurman starts alongside fellow defenders Lucy Bronze and Kadeisha Buchanan, while Ellie Carpenter and Nathalie Bjorn are among the substitutes.

Chelsea vs Roma: kick-off time and TV

The match kicks off at 5.45pm GMT on Wednesday 28 October at Plough Lane in Wimbledon. It is available to stream live on Disney+ in the UK, as confirmed in Chelsea’s official viewing guide.

Lauren James starts as Keira Walsh returns to the squad

James and Walsh are both back in the matchday squad after missing Sunday’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace. Bompastor confirmed their availability before the Roma match, with James now handed a starting place.

Walsh begins on the bench alongside attacking options including Maika Hamano and Melvine Malard, who scored twice in the weekend victory. Beever-Jones leads the line.

Bompastor’s pre-match fitness update, including the availability of James and Walsh, is covered in our Naomi Girma injury update. Girma has resumed running but is not included in tonight’s squad.

How Chelsea and Roma have started in Europe

Chelsea have four points from their opening two league-phase matches. Wieke Kaptein scored the only goal in their home win over Austria Vienna before the Blues drew 0-0 away at Lyon.

Roma are looking for their first European victory of the campaign after drawing with Leuven and losing 6-0 to Barcelona. Chelsea also won 6-0 when these teams met at Stamford Bridge last season.

Women’s Champions League: tonight and tomorrow

Arsenal also host Benfica tonight. Read our Kim Little injury update for their team news.

Manchester City face Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday. Our Man City Women vs PSG TV guide covers the viewing details.

Chelsea team news vs Roma: your questions answered

Is Lauren James starting against Roma?

Yes. James is in Chelsea’s starting XI after missing Sunday’s win at Crystal Palace.

Is Keira Walsh starting against Roma?

No. Walsh is available and has been named among Chelsea’s substitutes.

How can I watch Chelsea vs Roma?

The match is live on Disney+ in the UK, with kick-off at 5.45pm GMT at Plough Lane.