ANTONIO CONTE'S preparations for their Champions League clash with Qarabag have been hampered with four players sidelined.
Striker Michy Batshuayi, Victor Moses promising midfielder Charly Musonda and Kenedy are all out with injuries.
It will come as a blow for Italian boss Conte as the tie against the Azerbaijan side provides the perfect opportunity to watch his fringe players in action. But Conte has confirmed that Eden Hazard is in contention to start and will hope to fire the Blues into the next round. The Italian gaffer said: "Hazard is fit and no new injuries. Batshauyi and Moses are not available for tomorrow’s game, also Musonda and Kenedy."
Batshuayi was handed a rare start in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge and scored in Chelsea's 6-0 thrashing. But the Belgian, who has made just five starts in all competitions is struggling with a foot injury which has ruled him out until December.
Moses is closing in on a return to action with a thigh injury and could feature against Liverpool next weekend. And Musonda, who was warned by the Blues for an Instagram rant last month, is struggling with a knee injury. Chelsea will seal qualification for the round of 16 with a win and Conte would expect nothing less against the minnows. A draw would also suffice if Atletico Madrid fail to beat group leaders Roma.
Diego Simeone's side are on the brink of failing to qualify for the knockout phrase for the first time since 2009.
Their problems lie with their failure to hit the back of the net.
They have drawn 10 of their 17 matches this season, scoring just 19 in the process.
Atletico also haven't scored more than a single goal in any of their 10 matches since Batshuayi bagged a dramatic winner against them in September.
From The Sun
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