Eden Hazard confirmed to start in EFL Cup

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has confirmed that Eden Hazard will start against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup tomorrow night.

The 26-year-old has now made three successive appearances from the Blues bench after missing the first month of the campaign due to ankle surgery over the summer.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge, Conte confirmed that the attacker is now in the final phase of his rehabilitation and will be fit enough to start against the Championship side.

"I think for Eden now is the right moment to start the game and try to play the whole game," he said. "I hope to be with him at the final step for the injury.

"I think we have managed very well his situation and in my career I was injured a lot of times and I have a bit of experience about this situation. With him, we are managing the situation very well and he is ready to start.

"I think Eden is a top player and he improved a lot. I think he can continue to improve and become one of the best."

Meanwhile, Hazard has praised Conte for his effect at Stamford Bridge, claiming that the Italian coach made him a better player within "a week" of his arrival.