Chelsea to bench Hazard for Palace match

Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has suggested that Eden Hazard will only be able to play a bit-part role in the Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace.

Hazard has been forced to sit out the last three fixtures due to a back problem, but assistant Gianfranco Zola hinted earlier this week that the play-maker could feature on Sunday afternoon.

Sarri has indicated that his star man is nearing a return, but played down the possibility of Hazard being able to complete the 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

At a press conference, the Italian told reporters: “Yesterday, he had a large part of the training with the team but maybe he will not be ready to play for 90 minutes at the moment – because it was his first training for the past two weeks.

“Probably he will be able to play for 40 to 45 minute, so for us it is important.”

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Hazard has contributed seven goals and three assists from his nine outings in the top flight this season.