ALVARO MORATA has handed Chelsea a timely boost after stepping up to full training ahead of their Champions League clash with Roma.
Morata missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat to bottom club Crystal Palace through injury after suffering a hamstring injury before the international break. Initial scans suggested the Spaniard could be ruled out for up to six weeks with the strain which forced him off in the first half of the 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester City.
But the former Real Madrid star has recovered quicker than expected and is now in contention to start against Roma on Wednesday.
The Serie A club visit Stamford Bridge undefeated in their opening two matches in Europe knowing would see them climb top of Group C.
But Chelsea will take a firm hold of the group if they can take maximum points on top of their victories over Atletico Madrid and Qarabag. Yet Conte goes into the game desperately trying to lift the spirit and performance levels of his players.
The Italian had his squad back in for training less than 24 hours after their dismal display at Selhurst Park which saw them embarrassed by a team who had failed to score a league goal all season.
He has watched his side lose their last two matches, against City and Palace, to leave the side nine points adrift of top spot in the Premier League.
In both matches Chelsea struggled to impose themselves on the game, something that will be a major concern at Stamford Bridge. And Conte's job has not been made any easier by the fact he has been hit by an injury crisis in midfield.
Right wing-back Victor Moses pulled up with a hamstring strain yesterday and is definitely out of the Roma match. He joins N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater on the sidelines as Chelsea suddenly find their squad depth tested to the limit.
It means only Tiemoue Bakayoko, Cesc Fabregas and Marcos Alonso are the fit senior options in his squad - and Conte may be forced to shift David Luiz forward from the back as emergency cover.
The boss has also admitted he is likely to have to call upon youngsters Ethan Ampadu and Kyle Scott over the next few weeks as the Blues face five matches before the end of October.
From The Sun
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