Chelsea injury news: Eden Hazard ruled out of Stoke trip with leg problem

Hazard will miss Saturday's Premier League clash
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Simon Johnson18 March 2017

Chelsea have suffered a major blow after Eden Hazard was ruled out of today's match at Stoke with a leg muscle injury.

The Belgium international has been in superb form this term, but didn't travel with the rest of the squad to their team hotel up north last night.

Coach Antonio Conte admitted in the pre-match press conference that he did have some concerns about a couple of players, and it was Hazard he was specifically referring too.

The nature of the injury is bad enough that he is expected to withdraw from international duty for Belgium's forthcoming games against Greece and Russia.

Hazard was on the receiving end of some rough treatment by Manchester United players during Chelsea's FA Cup Quarter Final victory on Monday night.

But it is believed the 26-year-old sustained the problem during training this week and not because of the constant fouling by Manchester United players.

Hazard has been key to Chelsea's dominance of the Premier League so far, with all 11 of his goals coming in the top flight.

Chelsea's Premier League run-in

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Conte is expected to now play with both Willian and Pedro alongside striker Diego Costa at the Britannia Stadium.

Victory for Chelsea will move them 13 points clear of closest challengers Manchester City and Tottenham, who both play tomorrow.

But Hazard's absence will make their task a lot tougher and will give Stoke hope that they can cause an upset.

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