Chelsea Team News: Double Boost But Conte Confirms Duo Will Miss West Ham Clash

Chelsea will be looking to book their place in the quarter finals of the EFL Cup when they take on rivals West Ham at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night.

Ahead of the game, Antonio Conte has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s offered a team news and injury update.

The Italian coach was pleased to confirm that John Terry is fit and available for selection after recovering from an ankle injury that’s plagued him this season – but he refused to reveal whether his skipper will start against the Hammers.

Conte also confirmed that Willian is back in contention for a starting spot after coming off the bench during Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Manchester United having been away on compassionate leave following the death of his mother.

There was also positive news on Branislav Ivanovic as the defender is now back in training after recovering from a muscular issue that’s kept him sidelined for the last four games but Conte says he’ll need more time to build his fitness before he’ll be available again.

Kurt Zouma stepped up his recovery from a serious knee injury with a run out for the development side last night and Conte is hopeful the defender will be able to return to full first team training soon.

However, there wasn’t such positive news on Cesc Fabregas as the Blues boss confirmed that the Spanish international remains out with a thigh injury that’s forced him to miss the last two matches.

Conte told Chelseafc.com:

‘He’s [Terry] fit to start, he’s in good shape. Tomorrow I will decide the starting 11 but John’s fit and he’s been training well.

‘Ivanovic is better, he started to train with us from yesterday but it’s normal after a injury that he needs a bit of time to come back,’

‘Cesc is still not well, we must wait because he had a muscular problem. We must be patient but I hope to see him training with the team very soon.’

‘I’m pleased about this because Zouma is a young player but a good player. I hope to After the West Ham game, I hope to see him working with us in training.”

Conte is expected to make some changes to the side that beat Man Utd at the weekend with the Italian tactician ready to give his fringe players and some youth prospects a chance to impress at West Ham.