Hazard expected to be on Chelsea bench again

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Eden Hazard is expected to be on the bench for Chelsea’s opening Champions League game and Danny Drinkwater could be unavailable.

Midfielder Drinkwater, recently signed from Leicester, is nursing a calf injury and hoped to be included in the squad for the visit of Qarabag on Tuesday, but he will need to be assessed ahead of the match.

“Danny Drinkwater has a muscular problem in his calf and now we are waiting to check the problem,” boss Antonio Conte explained.

Hazard, who recently returned to action following an ankle injury, is likely to be among the substitutes again.

Conte said: “Eden is in the group, in the squad, and he’s working very well to find the best physical condition.

“I think he needs a bit of time to continue to improve and to avoid taking stupid risks. But now he is available and he will come on the bench.

“You know very well the importance of this player. Last season he played an amazing season. He is a top player and we are looking forward to having him in our team.”