Chelsea Team News: Conte Confirms Triple Injury Blow But Key Man Could Return

Chelsea will be looking to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup when they take on Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

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

Unfortunately the Blues boss has revealed that he’ll be without three of his first team regulars with Thibaut Courtois, Willian and Alvaro Morata all ruled out of the game this weekend.

Courtois has missed the last two matches due to an ankle injury and the Belgian international will once again sit on the sidelines for the visit of Newcastle on Sunday.

Morata has also missed the recent games with Arsenal and Brighton due to a back injury and Conte has confirmed the Spanish striker won’t recover in time for the FA Cup clash.

Willian limped off with a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg defeat to Arsenal in midweek and while Conte feels the injury isn’t serious it’s enough to see him miss the Newcastle game.

However, there was some positive news for Chelsea as Cesc Fabregas was able to take part in training today after recovering from a hamstring injury so he’ll be handed a fitness test tomorrow to see if he’ll be able to return to action.

January signing Ross Barkley made his debut off the bench in midweek and Conte has hinted he could be handed his first start with the former Everton man set to replace Willian in attack.

Antonio Conte says Alvaro Morata and Thibaut Courtois are out of Sunday's game against Newcastle.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 26, 2018

Willian will also miss Sunday's game but Conte doesn't think the Brazilian's injury is a serious one.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 26, 2018

He says Cesc Fabregas trained today with the squad, which is good news, and he will check on his availability tomorrow.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 26, 2018

Conte hints that Barkley could be handed his first start. "After Morata and Willian injuries, we don't have other options…" Needs to play to "accelerate" the recovery process after a bad injury. #CFC

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) January 26, 2018