Antonio Conte provides positive update on Alvaro Morata's injury

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has confirmed that Alvaro Morata escaped a serious hamstring injury after he was substituted early in the 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City.

In a report covered by The Times, Conte said: "It’s a muscular problem. I don’t think it’s a serious problem because he stopped before it will become a serious injury. He said to me, ‘Coach, I prefer to stop myself otherwise I risk a bad injury.’"

Morata has been replaced by Athletic Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz in the Spain squad, but it is suggested that the 24-year-old could return for the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace in 12 days' time.

Michy Batshuayi is currently the backup striker in the Blues ranks, but Conte does not seem to have much confidence in the Belgian when compared to the likes of Willian and Pedro in the attack front.

Morata has been a huge fit during his short period at Chelsea, netting seven goals in just nine outings across all competitions. The Spaniard also bagged his first Premier League hat-trick last month in a 4-0 rout of Mark Hughes' Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.