LONDON -- Antonio Conte dismissed suggestions of a rift with Antonio Rudiger and insisted the Germany international remains in contention to play for Chelsea until the end of the season.
Rudiger was a surprise omission from Conte's matchday squad in Saturday's 3-2 win over Southampton, with the Italian afterwards stating that Rudiger's omission was a "tactical decision" and declining to explain further.
This week, Rudiger admitted that he was "probably" dropped for criticising Chelsea's tactical approach in a TV interview following a 1-1 home draw with West Ham United earlier this month, but Conte clarified that he has no problem with his defender.
"I don't think he said anything wrong," Conte said. "It was a tactical decision. Maybe [against Burnley] another player starts on the bench and I have the opportunity to makes changes. If I see a change I will."
Asked if Rudiger will continue to be given first-team opportunities in Chelsea's remaining matches this season, Conte replied: "Why not?"
Conte is set to rotate the Chelsea team for Thursday's trip to Turf Moor to take on high-flying Burnley, with only three days for his squad to recover and prepare for Sunday's FA Cup semifinal against Southampton.
Marcos Alonso could be an enforced absentee. He was charged by the Football Association for a tackle on Southampton's Shane Long that went unpunished by the officials and faces a three-match ban if the sanction is upheld or accepted.
Conte was unwilling to discuss Alonso's challenge on Wednesday as the deadline had not yet passed for Chelsea and the player to respond to the charge, but he did confirm that January signing Emerson Palmieri will start against Burnley.
"I think he is ready physically and tactically," Conte said. "I don't know if he can play two games in three days, but tomorrow, he will play against Burnley."
Conte also congratulated Alonso for being named in the PFA Team of the Year.
"I am very happy for him," Conte said. "For sure in the last game he played badly, but for this consideration, [so did] the whole team."