Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 6y

Chelsea waiting on full extent of Alvaro Morata injury - sources

Chelsea will not know the full extent of Alvaro Morata's hamstring injury until he undergoes further assessment at the club's Cobham training ground later this week, sources have told ESPN FC.

Morata limped out of Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday after just 35 minutes, with Antonio Conte revealing that his striker had requested to come off in order to avoid further aggravating a "muscular problem" but adding that he did not expect it to be a serious injury.

Spain confirmed on Monday that Morata had suffered a "Grade II myofascial" hamstring injury after carrying out an MRI scan, replacing the 24-year-old with Aritz Aduriz in Julen Lopetegui's squad for their final two World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Israel.

Reports suggested Morata could be sidelined for four-to-eight weeks if the diagnosis of his national team's medical staff proves correct, but Chelsea will carry out their own tests and are hopeful the injury may not prove as serious as first feared.

He has now reported back to the Blues' Cobham training base for assessment and rehabilitation.

The player himself remains optimistic about his chances of recovering quickly, posting on his Instagram account on Tuesday that his target is to return for Chelsea's first match after the international break -- the trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, Oct. 14.

"I have no time to lose! Working hard towards recovery! Crystal Palace," he wrote.

Morata has made a spectacular start to his Chelsea career, scoring eight goals in nine appearances in all competitions to immediately fill the attacking void left by Diego Costa, who finalised a move back to Atletico Madrid last month after a protracted and acrimonious saga.

The absence of Morata may force Conte to turn to Michy Batshuayi, who has scored five goals this season but was left on the substitutes' bench until the 73rd minute against City.

Eden Hazard is also considered a viable option to be deployed as a false nine at the head of Chelsea's attack.

^ Back to Top ^