Injured Chelsea duo hands Conte major boost by scoring in secret friendly

Belgium international Eden Hazard stepped up his injury return by scoring in a secret friendly match organized by the West London club against a QPR youth side at the Chelsea’s Cobham training ground. The Blues won 8-0.

Hazard has been out injured since June with an ankle problem with manager Antonio Conte keen on having his star man back after a rather poor start to the Premier League season in the 3-2 loss to Burnley.

Sunday’s London derby against rivals Tottenham Hotspurs is still unlikely, but the Belgian look ready to play some part in the fixture against Merseyside club Everton on 27th of August.

Charly Musonda scored twice and looks set to play from the start against the North London club if Spain international Pedro fails to recuperate from injury.

The youngster will vie with Jeremie Boga to play with Brazilian Willian behind Spanish striker Alvaro Morata or Belgian Michy Batshuayi.

France international Tiémoué Bakayoko who also played a role in the friendly match, made the £40m move from AS Monaco to the West London club earlier this summer.

The 23-year-old is the replacement for Serbian Nemanja Matic who was permitted to reunite with Portuguese tactician Jose Mourinho at rival club Manchester United.

The midfielder is believed to be closer to full fitness than Belgium attacker Eden Hazard.

Antonio Conte is still in the transfer market for new players before the summer transfer window slams shut at the end of August.