Eden Hazard could start for Chelsea in the EFL Cup (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte confirmed that Eden Hazard could start against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening.

Hazard, who missed Chelsea’s entire pre-season with an ankle injury, has been among Conte’s substitutes for the Blues’ last three matches and the Belgian impressed after replacing Willian in the side’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal.

Pedro was forced off with an ankle problem at half-time at Stamford Bridge and Conte dropped a massive hint that Hazard could be the man to replace the Spaniard in the EFL Cup.

‘Hazard played very well,’ Conte said following the goalless draw.

‘Now on Wednesday he will have the possibility to start the game and complete his recovery.’

Pedro took a knock to his ankle at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)

Conte revealed that Pedro ‘wasn’t 100 per cent fit’ in the aftermath of the London derby.

‘Pedro took a bad tackle in his ankle,’ he said.

‘He wasn’t 100 per cent fit [after that] so I decided to make a substitution for the second half.

‘I hope this problem is not serious – we lost Pedro against Arsenal [in the Community Shield final].’

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