Eto’o out but Hazard could face Atletico

Samuel Eto’o will miss Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.

The Blues striker is nursing a knee injury and did not travel to Spain for Tuesday’s clash with the La Liga leaders.

But Eden Hazard did travel after returning to training following a calf problem and could feature in the game.

Hazard picked up the injury during the quarter-final victory over Paris St-Germain and has not played since.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to return, having missed Saturday’s shock home defeat against Sunderland through illness.

However, boss Jose Mourinho will be without the suspended Branislav Ivanovic, while Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are ineligible to play.

The absence of Eto’o means Chelsea forward Fernando Torres could feature against his former club, where he remains a hugely popular figure.

“I am not saying that Fernando is going to start, but he never hides,” said Mourinho,

“Every day we talk together about Spanish football and Fernando is a real Atletico supporter.

“But I have no doubt that the minutes he is on the pitch he is going to try to do everything for Chelsea like the fantastic professional he is.”