Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and Marcos Alonso have confirmed Alvaro Morata (left) is fit to face Roma
Morata missed Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday with a hamstring problem.
The £60million summer signing was also left out of Spain’s two internationals earlier this month after injuring his hamstring in the defeat at Manchester City.
But Chelsea expect to have the Spaniard at the very least on the bench at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
Asked about Morata’s availability, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said: “Alvaro is in contention for tomorrow’s game.
“He has been training with us and in contention.”
He has been training with us and in contention
Conte on Morata
Morata has scored seven goals for Chelsea this season following his move from Real Madrid in the summer.
And the Blues have looked blunt up front without him.
Michy Batshuayi was overlooked as a replacement for Morata during the defeat to City, with Antonio Conte instead bringing on Willian.
Batshuayi got his chance at Selhurst Park on Saturday but struggled to make an impact on the game and Conte has revealed Morata could have played.
"I could have risked him on Saturday, but I am not so stupid," said the boss.
"The situation is very difficult. You have to make the best decision. Tomorrow I am not taking a risk if I ask Morata to play."
GETTY
Chelsea's Alvaro Morata has been out injured with a hamstring problem
Morata is not the only injury worry on Conte’s mind.
N’Golo Kante suffered a hamstring injury during international duty with France, while Victor Moses is out for a month.
Asked if he needs more strength in depth to compete on all fronts this season, Conte said: “I think that we know very well which is our situation.
“For sure when there are injuries of this type, it is very difficult for us. There is this situation and we must be very good to overcome and do our best.
“It is not simple when you don’t have players like Morata, Kante and now Moses.”
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Alvaro Morata shows off his kick-up skills on the golf course
REUTERS
Chelsea's Marcos Alonso says Saturday's defeat will motivate the players
Chelsea head into tomorrow’s showdown with Roma having lost two games on the bounce.
The last time they went three defeats in a row was way back in 2006.
Discussing the weekend loss, which saw Chelsea slip nine points behind Premier League leaders City, Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso said: “I think the truth is it wasn’t our best game.
“It was good to motivate us and make us work hard to improve. Football is a sport that changes very quick.
“We have a chance to do that tomorrow. We weren’t good enough on Saturday, we have to work hard to try to win the next game.”
