Antonio Conte: 'Chelsea must assess Olivier Giroud fitness'

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has suggested that Olivier Giroud will only feature on the bench against Watford on Monday night.

On deadline day, Giroud left Arsenal to complete a switch to Stamford Bridge, and the French international had been tipped to go straight into the starting lineup due to an injury to Alvaro Morata.

However, Conte has hinted that he is in no rush to include the January signing, who only made his own return from injury last week.

At a press conference, the 48-year-old told reporters: "He is coming from a muscular injury. He was out for 50 days before coming back for 15 minutes against Swansea.

"We have to make the best decision and then to work with them. It is important to adapt themselves with our idea of football.

"We are starting to work with him but we have to check his physical condition. It is difficult to see him start."

Giroud has made just 10 starts in all competitions this season, with a further 15 outings coming from the bench.