Conte: Morata out for indefinite period with back injury
Antonio Conte admitted his concern over a back injury that has left Alvaro Morata on the sidelines for the past five matches, and revealed there is no timeline for the striker's return.
The Spaniard was enduring a rough spell at Chelsea before he fell to the issue - he counted four league goals since the end of September - and his absence will presumably open up a spot for new arrival Olivier Giroud in the starting lineup.
"Players like Morata, for us that are very important, have been missing for a long time," Conte told BBC Sport.
"He has a problem and we're struggling to solve the pain he has. I could say a month, a week or the season - I don't know how long he will be out, and for this reason I'm a bit worried."
Morata's last appearance was when he was sent off in the FA Cup against Norwich City in mid-January, and there could be a case made for Chelsea missing his presence despite his drop in productivity. The Blues have lost three matches over the five-game spell - against Arsenal, Bournemouth and Watford, respectively - and have left Conte seemingly on the brink of losing his job.
Chelsea welcomes West Bromwich Albion, another club that is going through a tricky period, to Stamford Bridge on Monday.