Chelsea Team News: Conte Confirms Injury Boost But Duo Ruled Out Of Man City Trip

Chelsea will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on champions-elect Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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 an injury boost with the news that Ross Barkley is back in contention and will travel with the squad to Manchester this weekend.

Barkley hasn’t featured since the Bournemouth game at the end of January after aggravating a long-term hamstring injury but the midfielder returned to full training this week and could be named in the squad on Sunday.

However, there wasn’t such positive news on Tiemoue Bakayoko as the French international is still on the sidelines with a knock that’s kept him out for the last three games.

David Luiz is also still unavailable while youngster Ethan Ampadu is ruled out after picking up an injury during Chelsea’s U19’s win over Feyenoord last week.

Conte told Chelseafc.com:

‘Ross Barkley trained with us this week and now he’s recovered from his injury. He will come with us and then I will decide if I find a place on the bench for him, or if he will be in the stand for another week.’

Conte reports that David Luiz, Bakayoko and Ampadu are unavailable for Sunday's game due to injury.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 2, 2018

Chelsea head to the Etihad having dropped out of the top four following their defeat at Manchester United last weekend so Conte will be desperate to get back on track with a positive result on Sunday.