It's been a rough summer for Antonio Conte, with the Chelsea manager overseeing a pre-season ridden with defeats, injury, lack of progress in the transfer market and Diego Costa claiming he's being treated like a criminal.
But things may just be looking up for the Italian, with some much needed, positive injury news coming through just in time for Sunday's visit to Wembley for Chelsea's Premier League clash with Tottenham.
With Cesc Fabregas and Gary Cahill both suspended for the Spurs game, following their red cards during the 3-2 home defeat by Burnley, last week, Conte's squad was looking thin on the ground, but Eden Hazard and Tiemoue Bakayoko, both of whom were unavailable last week, may be in line for shock returns, this weekend.
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Both men came through a behind closed doors friendly with Queens Park Rangers at Cheslea's Cobham training ground today and could make up part of Conte's 18 man squad for the trip to Wembley.
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Hazard returned to first team training ahead of schedule last week, following his ankle ligament injury that has kept him on the sidelines since June.
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Bakayoko, meanwhile, a £35 million new arrival from Monaco, underwent minor surgery upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge to clear up a long term knee issue.
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Should the pair be deemed fit enough for Sunday's game against Mauricio Pochettino's men, it would prove to be a timely boost for Conte, who is still wanting to bring in another three new recruits before the transfer window closes on 31st August.
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With John Terry, Nemanja Matic, Nathan Ake, Nathaniel Chalobah, Asmir Begovic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all leaving Stamford Bridge this summer (albeit with Loftus-Cheek only on loan) and Diego Costa AWOL, Conte is worryingly shallow when it comes to strength in depth.
However, the former Juventus and Italy boss must also be wary that rushing Hazard and Bakayoko back could lead to both men aggravating their existing injuries that may not have completely cleared up.
(H/T Metro)
Topics: Eden Hazard, Chelsea, Football
