PSG stars Neves and Dembélé return from injury to start against Chelsea in Champions League

PARIS (AP) — João Neves and Ousmane Dembélé returned from injury to start for Paris Saint-Germain against Chelsea in the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Their return allowed coach Luis Enrique to pick a near-full strength side for the first leg at Parc des Princes.

Neves had been nursing an ankle injury since PSG advanced past Monaco in the Champions League playoffs last month.

Dembélé has shaken off a calf injury.

The Ballon d’Or winner came on as a second-half substitute in Friday's 3-1 home defeat to Monaco in Ligue 1.

PSG midfielder Fabián Ruiz remains sidelined with a left knee injury.

The second leg is next Tuesday at Stamford Bridge in London.

PSG last played Chelsea in July in the final of the Club World Cup, when Chelsea won 3-0.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer