Chelsea Team News: Conte Confirms Trio Will Face Late Fitness Checks

Chelsea will look to take another huge step towards reclaiming the title when they take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

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

The Blues boss confirmed that he’ll need to check on the fitness of two or three players before he’ll be able to finalise his starting eleven for the game this weekend but he stopped short of naming and names.

One player Conte could be alluding to is Eden Hazard as the attacker missed the Stoke game earlier this month and was ruled out of Belgium’s draws with Greece and Russia during the international break after picking up a minor calf problem.

However, Hazard was able to train with the rest of the squad at Cobham yesterday and Conte says he’s confident the attacker will be in contention to face Palace this weekend.

Diego Costa could be one of the other players Conte is referring to as he is also considered a doubt after suffering an ankle injury while away with the Spanish squad last week.

However, the injury isn’t thought to be too serious and like Hazard, the striker was also spotted in training on Thursday so it looks as though he could be involved tomorrow.

Thibaut Courtois also didn’t feature for Belgium during the break due to a hip injury and underwent treatment at Cobham earlier this week but I expect the Blues No.1 to take his place between the sticks against Palace.

There was some positive news on John Terry as Conte says the centre-back has trained well this week after suffering a knock earlier this month.

Here is what Conte said at his press conference today:

Conte says some players returned from internationals with problems. He adds that John Terry has trained okay all week at Cobham. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 31, 2017

Antonio Conte reports he has to check on two or three situations regarding injuries before deciding on his team tomorrow. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 31, 2017

Conte says he is confident Hazard will play tomorrow having missed Stoke and he is confidernt he will play well. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 31, 2017