Relief for Chelsea as Hazard injury is not serious

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has insisted Eden Hazard's knee injury is not serious after the Belgium international was ruled out of Wednesday's clash with Sunderland.

The league leaders replaced the 25-year-old with Willian for the game against David Moyes' side after he picked up a knock, but he is not expected to be out for long.

Chelsea face Crystal Palace on Saturday before taking on Bournemouth on Boxing Day, but Conte refused to confirm when Hazard might return.

“I made two changes, [Cesc] Fabregas for [Nemanja] Matic and Willian for Eden. A rotation for Matic, Eden, he got a knock in his knee and now he is injured," the coach said.

"No, I don’t think [it is serious]. For this game, though, he can’t play. There are no easy games, for this reason we must pay attention."

Hazard has scored eight goals and provided two assists in 18 appearances for Chelsea this season, helping the Blues to first place in the Premier League.

John Terry also missed the Sunderland clash with a minor muscle strain, while Oscar was ruled out with illness shortly after it was confirmed the Brazilian is likely to sign for Chinese side Shanghai SIPG in January.