Chelsea have discovered their UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 opponents, with Enzo Maresca’s side set to face FC Copenhagen in the knockout stage.

The Blues cruised through the league phase, winning all six of their matches to top the table in dominant fashion.

Meanwhile, Copenhagen, who finished 18th in the standings, had to battle through the knockout play-offs, edging past FC Heidenheim 1846 with a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory after extra time.

Chelsea will travel to Denmark for the first leg on Thursday, March 6, before hosting the return fixture at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, March 13.

In a boost for the knockout rounds, Cole Palmer has been added to Chelsea’s squad for the latter stages of the competition. The 22-year-old playmaker was left out of the league phase to manage his workload but is now available to play a key role in Chelsea’s push for European silverware.

Returning loanee Trevoh Chalobah, who was recalled from his spell at Crystal Palace, and January signing Mathis Amougou, a £12m deadline day arrival, have also been registered for the competition.

UEFA regulations allow clubs to make only three squad changes after the winter transfer window, with Chelsea using their slots strategically as they aim to lift the trophy in Athens later this year.