The big team news for Chelsea is that club captain John Terry has been deemed fit to return to the starting line-up after recovering from a nasty ankle injury and is available for the visit of Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Terry has been out of action for over a month which is surprising as initial estimates suggested the rugged defender would only be on the treatment table for about 10 days. The cause of Terry’s problems has been an ankle ligament injury sustained in the last minute of play when Chelsea tied Swansea City 2-2 at the Liberty Stadium back on September 11th. Apparently a kick to the ankle in training before the Arsenal game caused a set-back in JT’s recovery but he is ready to play now. The question will be will Conte stick with the 3 at the back that worked so well against Leicester and leave Terry on the bench to get stronger.

As the Standard reported, Chelsea have a number of other injury concerns with Cesc Fabregas looking unlikely to feature through a thigh problem, likewise Branislav Ivanovic is a doubt with a leg issue and Kurt Zouma is still unavailable with his long-term knee injury.

Sadly Brazilian duo Willian and Oscar both suffered bereavements in their family back in Brazil with Willian losing his mother and Oscar losing his grandfather. Both players were granted compassionate leave to attend the funerals back in Brazil and Conte had this to say about the two terribly unfortunate players,

“Willian came back on Thursday, in the morning, and then had two training sessions with us.

“But in this situation it’s very important to consider all aspects. I spoke also with the player. Me, the player, the club… we are sorry for him and this situation.

“Also for Oscar. He flew to Brazil after the death of his grandfather. It’s important to consider all the aspects. Then you make the right decision.

“I also have tomorrow to see the situation. But, I repeat, it’s important now that we support him: me, the players, the club. We have to support his family. When you lose your mother, it’s always a bad thing.”

So Conte is definitely a caring manager who seems to really get the human side of the game and that there is more to life than football.

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