The England international has made a rapid recovery from the injury inflicted by a tackle from Alan Shearer during an FA Cup tie at Newcastle. Originally he was not expected to be ready for match action until September but he played 45 minutes of the pre-season friendly against DC United in the USA and this reserve outing is the next step up.
Bridge is joined by three other members of this season’s first team squad. Jiri Jarošik will play in midfield alongside new signing from France, Lassana Diarra, another to feature during the US tour. Lenny Pidgeley, who made his senior debut in May is in goal.
Jonas Elmer is a new face in Mick McGiven’s reserve side. The summer arrival from Switzerland, who was seen in the first team friendly at Wycombe, will play on the left-hand side ahead of Bridge.
The remainder of the team is made up from regular reserve performers last season. Midfielder Danny Hollands continues to captain the side and at the centre of the attack will be 18 year-old Philip Younghusband. Centre-back Steven Watt is injured so Adrian Pettigrew will partner Michael Mancienne in defence.
The game is the first for Chelsea in this season’s Barclays Premiership Reserve League South. Last season saw a sixth place finish, one place below tonight’s opposition.
Spurs include midfield Aaron Lennon who arrived from Leeds in the summer, former Sheffield United midfielder Michael Brown and Yugoslav international defender Goran Bunjevcevic.
The Chelsea line-up tonight is:
Lenny Pidgeley, Dean Smith, Adrian Pettigrew, Michael Mancienne, Wayne Bridge, Jiri Jarošik, Lassana Diarra, Danny Hollands (c), Filipe Morais, Philip Younghusband, Jonas Elmer.
Subs: Nick Hamann, Joe Tillen, Anthony Grant, Jimmy Smith, James Simmonds.
Spurs:
Robert Burch, Phil Ifil, Marcel McKie, Jamie O'Hara, Charlie Lee, Goran Bunjevcevic, Aaron Lennon, Michael Brown, Lee Barnard, Johnnie Jackson, Emil Hallfredsson. 
Subs: Kieran McKenna, Tommy Forecast, Charlie Daniels, Leigh Mills, Simon Dawkins.
Traditionally this fixture draws a healthy attendance with crowds of over 4,000 not unknown.
The game kicks-off at 7pm at the Recreation Ground. Admission is £5 for adults, £2 for OAPs/juvs or free to season ticket holders.
There is full live coverage on Chelsea TV beginning at 6-45pm. Eddie Newton will provide expert analysis in the studio with Clive Walker co-commentating.
Date | Opposition | Where | F - A | Venue |
Mon 15 Aug | Tottenham Hotspur | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Tue 30 Aug | Southampton | Away | ||
Tue 6 Sep | Charlton Athletic | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Mon 12 Sep | Derby County | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Mon 19 Sep | Watford | Away | ||
Wed 28 Sep | Norwich City | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Mon 3 Oct | Arsenal | Away | ||
Mon 10 Oct | West Ham United | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Wed 19 Oct | Coventry City | Away | ||
Mon 7 Nov | Ipswich Town | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Tue 15 Nov | Leicester City | Away | ||
Mon 21 Nov | Portsmouth | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Wed 7 Dec | Crystal Palace | Away | ||
Tue 13 Dec | Tottenham Hotspur | Away | ||
Mon 19 Dec | Fulham | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Wed 4 Jan | Fulham | Away | ||
Mon 9 Jan | Charlton Athletic | Away | ||
Mon 16 Jan | Southampton | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Tue 24 Jan | Derby County | Away | ||
Mon 6 Feb | Watford | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Mon 13 Feb | Arsenal | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Mon 20 Feb | Norwich City | Away | ||
Tue 28 Feb | West Ham United | Away | ||
Mon 6 March | Coventry City | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Mon 20 March | Ipswich Town | Away | ||
Mon 27 March | Leicester City | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |
Wed 5 April | Portsmouth | Away | ||
Mon 10 April | Crystal Palace | Home | 7.00 pm | Aldershot |