Chelsea top scorer Alvaro Morata set to miss Huddersfield trip due to back injury

Chelsea have suffered a major blow with the news that top scorer Alvaro Morata won't play against Huddersfield on Tuesday night due to a back injury.

Morata, who joined Chelsea from Real Madrid for £58m in the summer, has scored nine times in the League this season.

But coach Antonio Conte will now have to play either Michy Batshuayi up front or Eden Hazard as a 'false 9'.

Conte confirmed: “Morata is out, because he’s a bit tired and there is a problem in his back."

Standard Sport first reported on Friday that Morata was forced to finish training early and underwent a scan. It is believed that he was also struggling with fever last week.

He failed to make an impact in the 1-0 loss to West Ham and captain Gary Cahill confirmed afterwards that 'there were a few illnesses in the camp’.

One of the others feeling unwell in the camp was midfielder Danny Drinkwater, who missed the match at the London Stadium.

Conte didn't guarantee that he will return to the starting line-up on Tuesday though. He added: “Drinkwater started a training session yesterday after the fever and is coming with us. But, for sure, after three or four days with a fever, his physical condition is not at the top."

Defender David Luiz is also still ruled out with a knee problem as Chelsea prepare to play in icy conditions at the Kirklees Stadium.

Temperatures are set to be just above freezing and Conte will ditch his usual matchday suit as a result.

Some Chelsea players were mocked on social media on Saturday when they were seen holding hot water bottles while sitting on the bench at West Ham.

But Conte doesn't understand the outcry and concluded: “It’s normal when you stay on the bench and you try to find a solution to keep you warm.

“It’s cold in Huddersfield tomorrow, yeah? For this reason, I won’t be wearing a suit tomorrow, I will put a tracksuit on. I know this!"