Chelsea Team News: Star Returns But Conte Confirms Major Injury Blow

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has revealed mixed team news ahead of their trip to the Kirklees Stadium to take on Huddersfield Town this evening.

Let’s start with the good news and the Blues boss has confirmed that Danny Drinkwater is available for selection again after recovering from a virus.

Drinkwater missed the 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Saturday afternoon with a fever but Conte says the England international trained on Sunday and is now back in contention this evening.

However, after spending three or four days in bed with a fever, Conte concedes that Drinkwater won’t be in top physical condition so the midfielder may only be deemed fit enough for a place on the bench.

Chelsea will continue to be without David Luiz as the centre-back is still working his way back to fitness from a knee injury that’s kept him out of action in recent weeks.

The Chelsea boss also revealed a major fresh injury blow with the news that Alvaro Morata will miss the Huddersfield game with a back problem while the striker is also suffering from fatigue.

Conte told Chelseafc.com:

‘Drinkwater started to train on Sunday after his fever,’ Conte revealed.

‘He’s come with us, but for sure after three or four days with a fever, his physical condition is not at the top level.

‘David Luiz is continuing to recover from his knee problem. And Morata is out. He is a bit tired and he has a problem in his back.’

It will be a huge blow for Chelsea to be without Morata as the striker has settled well following his move from Real Madrid last summer having scored 9 goals in his 15 Premier League games so far.

In the Spanish international’s absence, Conte may hand Michy Batshuayi a rare start up front or the Blues boss could opt to deploy Eden Hazard in a ‘false 9’ role against the terriers this evening.

Chelsea head in to the game sitting third in the table but with fifth-placed Arsenal just three points behind, Conte will want to come away with a win this evening to cement their position in the top four.