Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: 'Michy Batshuayi remains in my plans'

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has suggested that Michy Batshuayi is now back in contention to feature in his starting lineup.

Despite Alvaro Morata being left out against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night, Batshuayi was only used from the substitutes' bench and the Belgian remains on just three starts in the Premier League and Champions League this season.

However, Conte has claimed that Batshuayi has only seen his time on the pitch limited in recent games due to his recovery from an ankle problem.

The 48-year-old told reporters: "He was out for three weeks, he had a problem with his ankle. Then he struggled a bit to find the right physical condition, now he is starting to stay in good form and if you compare the games he's playing this season to last season, he's playing and he didn't play 90 minutes because he was injured.

"Don't forget he played in the Community Shield and we started the season with him. I try to make the best decision for the team and when I decide the formation the last part I see is the head."

Earlier this week, it was claimed that Chelsea were prepared to use Batshuayi as part of any deal to sign Monaco winger Thomas Lemar.