Chelsea Team News: Conte Offers Update On Kante, Bakayoko, Luiz & Barkley

By Fraser Crawford on March 9, 2018

Chelsea will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

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

The Blues boss confirmed a huge fitness boost with the news that N’Golo Kante has been passed fit to face Palace after missing the defeat to Manchester City last weekend.

Kante was withdrawn from the trip to the Etihad after passing out shortly before the game but he’s trained all week and is now back in contention to face Palace on Saturday.

Tiemoue Bakayoko could also be back in the squad this weekend after returning to full training this week following three weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury but a place on the bench may be the best he can hope for.

However, there wasn’t such positive news on David Luiz as he’s still missing with the Brazilian international continuing to struggle with an ankle injury that’s kept him out for over a month

Ross Barkley is also not available for selection as the midfielder is still working his way back to full fitness from a hamstring injury that’s hampered him all season.

Conte says N'Golo Kante is fine, in good form and has trained all week. #CHECRY

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 9, 2018

David Luiz and Ross Barkley are out of tomorrow's game, says Conte, and he has a couple of other situations to check on between now and the match. #CHECRY

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 9, 2018

On Tiemoue Bakayoko, Conte says he has been training with the squad for the last week and his physical condition is 'not bad'. He adds it's important to remember the midfielder is still very young and he has the right personality to become an important player. #CHECRY

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 9, 2018

Chelsea head in to the weekend action sitting fifth in the table and five points off the top four so Conte desperately needs a win over Palace to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.