Morata, Fabregas Ruled Out Against Arsenal

Antonio Conte has revealed that Alvaro Morata and Cesc Fabregas are unavailable for Wednesday’s second leg of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal due to injury.

Morata, who missed Saturday’s 4-0 win over Brighton through suspension, has a back problem while Fabregas has not recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained last week.

Asked about the fitness of his squad, Conte replied: “Morata and Fabregas are out. They are not available for the Arsenal game. Then I have to check a couple of situations [with other players].”

Pressed on the nature of Morata’s problem, he added: “He has a problem in his back. He’s injured.”

The other “situations” Conte has to check are understood to be Thibaut Courtois and Danny Drinkwater, who missed the Brighton trip with ankle injuries.

Chelsea will also be without Kenedy, who Conte confirmed will join Newcastle on loan as the Blues close in on a deal to sign Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri.

“He needs to play regularly and to go to Newcastle is a great challenge for him,” Conte said of Kenedy. “It is a great way for the club, we used same way for [Andreas] Christensen. Now he starts for Chelsea. It is a great opportunity but he knows that he has to be ready to fight to play for Newcastle.

“Last season in the first six months for Watford he struggled to play, but now he is more ready. He played with us many games and he can show his potentiality.”

Source: ESPN FC