Chelsea Team News: Conte Confirms Huge Triple Injury Blow Ahead Of Palace Trip

Chelsea will look to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester City when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park 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 a team news and injury update.

The Blues boss confirmed that Alvaro Morata will miss tomorrow’s game after picking up a hamstring injury while away with the Spanish squad during the international break.

Thankfully for Chelsea the injury isn’t a serious one as Conte is hopeful his big-money summer signing will be able to return for the crucial Champions League clash with Roma next week.

Morata’s absence leaves a huge void to be filled up front and Conte has confirmed that Michy Batshuayi could be handed a rare chance to impress against Palace tomorrow.

The Blues manager also has problems to deal with in midfield as N’Golo Kante has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for France last week.

The initial diagnosis is that Kante will be out for around three weeks but Conte says the midfielder will undergo another scan so the full extent of the injury can be determined.

To add to Chelsea’s woes in the middle of the park, Danny Drinkwater has once again been ruled out as he’s not ready to return from a calf injury that’s hampered him since he moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Drinkwater is said to be recovering well but the club are having to be patient with him, so with Kante also unavailable, Conte has limited options in midfield this weekend.

The Blues boss told reporters:

Conte says he hopes to have Morata back for Roma but Kante needs to have a scan next week. He says the midfielder is a big loss. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 13, 2017

On Kante, Conte says it's a muscular problem and he could be out for around 20 days but another scan is needed to understand more. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 13, 2017

Conte says Danny Drinkwater is progressing well with his recovery but we must be patient with him. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 13, 2017

He also says Michy Batshuayi is 'in contention' to start against Crystal Palace tomorrow. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 13, 2017

Centre-back David Luiz is favourite to be deployed in central midfield alongside Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko this weekend if Conte decides to go with a defender in the middle of the park.