Chelsea Team News: Conte Confirms Huge Boost But Defender Ruled Out

Chelsea will be looking to maintain their advantage at the top of the Premier League when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.

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

The Italian coach was pleased to confirm a huge injury boost with the news that Eden Hazard has been passed fit to return to the squad after recovering from a knee injury.

The Belgian international suffered the injury during the final minutes of the win over West Brom at Stamford Bridge last weekend and was forced to sit out the victory at Sunderland in midweek.

However, Hazard has been able to return to training today and will be in the squad to face Palace tomorrow, although Conte hasn’t decided whether he’ll be fit to start or used from the bench.

The news will come as a huge boost to Chelsea as Hazard is a key part of their team but if he isn’t deemed fit enough to start tomorrow then Willian and Pedro are expected to continue to support Diego Costa in attack.

There wasn’t such positive news regarding the fitness of John Terry as the Blues boss has confirmed that the skipper has once again been ruled out of action this weekend.

Terry has been on the sidelines for three weeks with a buttock injury and while he has been able to train with the rest of the squad this week, the 35-year-old is still not fit enough to be available for the trip to Selhurst and Conte has no idea when his captain will return.

It’s been a hugely frustrating season for Terry as not only has he been hampered by a series of injury problems but he’s lost his first team place in Conte’s starting eleven so I’m sure he’ll be desperate to get himself fit as soon as possible.

Otherwise, Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns to worry about so they’ll head in to the Palace game in excellent shape as they look to make it 11 wins on the bounce to at least maintain their six point lead at the top of the table.

Conte says John Terry is still trying to recovery from injury but is staying with the squad and is still important. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 16, 2016

Conte does not know exactly when Terry will be available again. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 16, 2016

Antonio Conte reports that Eden Hazard has trained today and is fit for tomorrow's game. He has not yet decided whether he starts. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 16, 2016

Conte confirms there are no new injury concerns. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 16, 2016