Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri is weighing up how to use Eden Hazard this weekend against Crystal Palace, with the forward still struggling with a back problem.
The 27-year-old Belgium international has been sidelined since the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Saturday 20th October, sitting out games against BATE Borisov, Burnley and Derby County.
And, while he has recovered enough to play some part against the Eagles at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, he is seemingly unlikely to start as Sarri says there is no way that Hazard would be able to last a full 90 minutes.
He told reporters: "Yesterday, he had a large part of the training with the team, but maybe he will not be ready to play for 90 minutes at the moment - because it was his first training for the past two weeks.
"Probably he will be able to play for 40-45 minutes, so for us it is important."
Hazard has scored seven goals in nine Premier League appearances for the Blues so far this season, including a second-ever hat-trick for the Blues against Cardiff City.
His first came in February 2014 when he netted all three goals in a 3-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Chelsea go into the game against Palace still unbeaten in the league and just two points behind Manchester City and Liverpool.
The last three meetings of the two teams at the Bridge have ended in 2-1 scorelines, with the visitors coming out on top in August 2015 and April 2017, while last season an own goal and a Willian strike gave the hosts the win.
Chelsea are 1/3 to take all three points on Sunday and are 7/1 to claim a 1-0 victory, with the Blues 10/11 to keep a clean sheet.
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Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri is weighing up how to use Eden Hazard this weekend against Crystal Palace, with the forward still struggling with a back problem.
The 27-year-old Belgium international has been sidelined since the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Saturday 20th October, sitting out games against BATE Borisov, Burnley and Derby County.
And, while he has recovered enough to play some part against the Eagles at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, he is seemingly unlikely to start as Sarri says there is no way that Hazard would be able to last a full 90 minutes.
He told reporters: "Yesterday, he had a large part of the training with the team, but maybe he will not be ready to play for 90 minutes at the moment - because it was his first training for the past two weeks.
"Probably he will be able to play for 40-45 minutes, so for us it is important."
Hazard has scored seven goals in nine Premier League appearances for the Blues so far this season, including a second-ever hat-trick for the Blues against Cardiff City.
His first came in February 2014 when he netted all three goals in a 3-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Chelsea go into the game against Palace still unbeaten in the league and just two points behind Manchester City and Liverpool.
The last three meetings of the two teams at the Bridge have ended in 2-1 scorelines, with the visitors coming out on top in August 2015 and April 2017, while last season an own goal and a Willian strike gave the hosts the win.
Chelsea are 1/3 to take all three points on Sunday and are 7/1 to claim a 1-0 victory, with the Blues 10/11 to keep a clean sheet.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com