Forward Eden Hazard is expected to miss Chelsea’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie with Derby on Wednesday with a back problem. Winger Pedro (illness) and striker Olivier Giroud (leg) are doubtful, Ethan Ampadu (knee) has returned to training but is unlikely to feature as Maurizio Sarri is expected to make many changes to his usual first team.
Sarri has handed over media duties to assistant boss Gianfranco Zola for the game and he went through the teams options and has suggested that Hazard will be available for the weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace.
Zola said at Tuesday’s press briefing: “There is Pedro, who has had a stomach ache. He came off Sunday. He was getting better, but there is still a little problem. We don’t know. We can assess him tomorrow.
“Also Olivier Giroud he has a little fatigue problem with one of the legs. We’re going to assess him tomorrow as well. Ampadu has been back in training yesterday.
“Today or tomorrow we’re going to decide whether he’s going to be part of the team. We’re going to leave it until tomorrow morning.
“[Hazard is] certainly much better. Not sure today, maybe tomorrow he’s going to join us in training. I don’t think he’s going to be involved in the game tomorrow, but he’s looking quite good for the weekend.
“We are pleased because he’s such an important player for us.”
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