Report: Courtois injured while playing basketball in promotional shoot

Basketball was reportedly behind Thibaut Courtois' absence at Old Trafford.

According to The Telegraph's Jason Burt, Courtois missed Chelsea's defeat at Manchester United after suffering an ankle injury during a promotional shoot for the Blues.

The Belgian 'keeper is apparently believed to be a doubt for the club's game against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and it's understood he collected the ailment while playing basketball with other players at the training ground.

The basketball was allegedly organised by Chelsea and filmed as part of the Blues' commercial duties with the NBA. Asmir Begovic, Nemanja Matic, Marcos Alonso, and Nathan Ake were reportedly also part of the shoot, and Courtois apparently landed awkwardly after jumping to catch a basketball.

"I think after a defeat it's not right to go into this situation," Antonio Conte said after Chelsea fell to United. "Courtois had an injury during the week and then for this reason he wasn't available."

Begovic was named to Chelsea's starting lineup and conceded two goals as United gave the Blues something to think about in the Premier League's title race.