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Antonio Conte fearful of more Chelsea injuries as thin squad struggles to juggle Europe :-: Metro

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Antonio Conte sends Chelsea injury warning after Alvaro Morata and N'Golo Kante setbacks
The Italian has lost three key players to injury over recent days and weeks (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says his side risk picking up more injuries as they struggle to deal with the demands of competing on multiple fronts.

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The Blues were without key players Alvaro Morata and N’Golo Kante for the weekend match against Crystal Palace, while Victor Moses was added to the injury list after pulling his hamstring.

That leaves Conte having to reshuffle his side for the visit of Roma on Wednesday night, and he admits the demands being placed on his small squad could trigger more problems.

Antonio Conte sends Chelsea injury warning after Alvaro Morata and N'Golo Kante setbacks
Morata has returned to training after injuring his hamstring before the international break (Getty)

‘It’s very important to go game by game, the situation is difficult, we have to play every three days and it’s not simple,’ said the Italian at his pre-match press conference.

‘In this moment we are very thin and same players always have to play. Honestly there is this type of risk to have these injuries. But I hope not.

Antonio Conte sends Chelsea injury warning after Alvaro Morata and N'Golo Kante setbacks
Kante tweaked his hamstring in Bulgaria while on international duty with France (Picture: Getty)

‘I think the best way now for us is to follow, to go game by game, and then to decide in every game which is the best formation, and whether sometimes to take risks or not about our players.’

He continued: ‘I think the problem is we are playing always the same players. We have in our team players who are not used to playing three games in a row.

Antonio Conte sends Chelsea injury warning after Alvaro Morata and N'Golo Kante setbacks
Moses is the latest player to be hit by Chelsea’s injury curse, pulling up against Palace (Picture: Getty)

‘Kante it is the first time he has played play three games in a row. Moses it is the first time he has played three games in a row. Morata is not used to playing regularly.

‘When you have a lot of games you need to rotate players, when it is not possible you have to take risks. For example against Man City after 20 minutes he was injured. But if I don’t put Morata in the starting XI you tell me I am crazy. Sometimes the players need to rest.’

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On Morata, Conte conceded that it would have been a risk to play him against Palace at the weekend but he is back in contention to take on Roma.

He added: ‘Honestly I could have taken a risk on Saturday to force him to play again Palace, but I’m not so stupid.

‘I repeat the situation is very difficult and then you have to make the best decision and fore sure tomorrow I’m not taking risks if I decide for Morata to play.’

MORE: Marcos Alonso singles out Edin Dzeko ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Roma

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