Chelsea Team News: 2 Players To Miss Stoke Clash But Key Man Set To Return

Chelsea will be looking to climb in to second position in the Premier League table when they take on Stoke at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

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

The Blues boss confirmed the west Londoners have no fresh injury concerns to worry about following the 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Boxing Day.

However, Conte did reveal he’ll rotate his squad and make some changes to his starting eleven so it looks like the Italian coach has one eye on next week’s trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal.

Conte also provided an update on David Luiz and says the centre-back is improving in his recovery from a long-term knee injury but the games against Stoke and Arsenal are likely to come too soon.

Luiz has been stepping-up his recovery this week and as long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks over the coming days the Brazilian international should be back in contention for the FA Cup third round clash with Norwich City next weekend.

Charly Musonda has also been on the sidelines recently with a groin strain but Conte says the young attacker should also be available for the trip to Carrow Road on January 6th.

Conte told Chelseafc.com:

‘There is no news. All the players are available. The same players from the last game are available. Musonda and David Luiz are improving a lot, their recovery is very close. I’m not sure about the next game but for sure against Norwich they will be available.

‘We must go game by game and it’s normal when you play every few days to make rotation and give some rest to those who have been playing every game. At the same time, all my players deserve credit, I trust in all of my players and it doesn’t matter if there are changes to the starting 11.’

Elsewhere, Andreas Christensen is set to return to the fold after missing the win over Brighton earlier this week through illness so Chelsea will be without just two players tomorrow.

Chelsea head in to the weekend action sitting one point behind Manchester United in third place so Conte will want to keep the pressure on with another win over Stoke tomorrow afternoon.