Millie Bright is back! Chelsea captain starts first game in six months as Emma Hayes' side continue WSL title pursuit at Liverpool - but Lauren James misses out

Bright made her long-awaited return from a knee injury on Saturday as the Blues were eliminated from the Women's Champions League by Barcelona, playing the final few minutes of that semi-final second leg off the bench.

The England star then stepped up her return by being named to Chelsea's starting line-up for Wednesday evening's clash with Liverpool, with the Blues looking to close the gap to WSL leaders Manchester City to three points with three games to go. There was no place in the squad, though, for England forward Lauren James or Melanie Leupolz, the Germany midfielder.

Explaining her selections and the absences, Chelsea boss Emma Hayes told Sky Sports: "Lauren is injured, she's been carrying a knock in the last couple of games. She's not fit but Millie is. I know she's looking forward to it.

"We don't know on Lauren, she's having a scan. She went into the Champions league having an issue with her foot. It hasn't settled down so she's having a scan on it today. We have dealt with what we need to and we are focusing on tonight's game. It's always tough against Matt Beard's team. We're ready to go."

Chelsea are pursuing a fifth-successive WSL title and are locked into a fierce title race with Man City that, if both win all of their final few games, could be decided on goal difference. Bright will hope her return can boost the Blues' bid to retain the trophy and if all goes well in the last few weeks of the season, she'll be eyeing up an England return when the Lionesses face France on May 31.