Chelsea Boss Confirms Fresh Double Injury Concern But Eases Fears Over Defender

Antonio Conte has confirmed two fresh injuries concerns following Chelsea’s draw with Roma but Gary Cahill should be fit for this weekend despite picking up a head injury.

The Blues blew a two-goal lead to go 3-2 down before Eden Hazard scored a second half equaliser to rescue a 3-3 draw in a thrilling game at Stamford Bridge last night.

The draw leaves Chelsea two points clear of Roma at the top of Group C and five ahead of Atletico Madrid so the west Londoners are well positioned to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

However, the result may have come at a cost as David Luiz was forced off shortly after half-time and Conte has now confirmed the Brazilian international picked up a calf problem.

Summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko completed the full ninety minutes against Roma but the Blues boss has also revealed the midfielder felt pain in his groin during the game.

The news will come as a concern to Chelsea as they are already without N’Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater and Victor Moses so they would be down to the bare bones in midfield if Luiz and Bakayoko were ruled out.

However, there was some positive fitness news as Conte also confirmed to reporters after the game last night that Gary Cahill should be fit to face Watford on Saturday despite picking up head and chin injuries against Roma.

Conte told Chelseafc.com:

‘After the first half the doctor told me David Luiz had a pain in his calf, and the same for Bakayoko in his groin. It was a good decision to try to protect him. In this moment it’s very important to protect the players.

‘We must realise we had three important players out, Kante, Drinkwater and Moses, and this gives us problems, but I am not looking for excuses now. I tried an extra defender to protect more the team, but in terms of the style and system I want to see, it must always be the same.’

Conte said the head and chin injuries sustained by Cahill in the 3-3 draw were "nothing serious" and the [c] will be OK for Saturday. #CFC

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) October 19, 2017

Chelsea head in to the weekend action sitting fifth in the table after losing at Crystal Palace last weekend so Conte will be praying for positive news on Luiz and Bakayoko.

With so many injuries in midfield to contend with the Chelsea manager would be forced to rely on youngsters if Luiz or Bakayoko are ruled out of action this weekend.