Antonio Conte will be without Pedro of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Nottingham Forest (Picture: GettY)

Antonio Conte expressed his sympathies for Chelsea winger Pedro, who suffered his third injury in as many months against Arsenal at the weekend.

The Spaniard’s form has helped make light Eden Hazard’s absence, with the Belgian winger having missed the start of Chelsea’s title defence after he underwent ankle surgery in the summer.

Former Barcelona winger Pedro sustained a facial injury during a pre-season friendly with the Gunners and was then forced to miss the next three games after he was sent-off against the same opposition in the Community Shield.

The 30-year-old completed an unwanted hat-trick of sorts at the weekend when he was substituted in Sunday’s goalless draw with Arsene Wenger’s men at Stamford Bridge following a collision with Nacho Monreal.

Pedro was substituted at half-time against Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Pedro suffered a serious facial injury in pre-season after clashing with Arsenal’s David Ospina (Picture: ITV)

‘Pedro is trying to recover from the last injury. It is important for him to work because remember when you are injured you cannot work,’ said Conte.

‘Sometimes you lose your physical condition. Nothing serious for him.

‘This season he is not lucky. He started with a bad injury in the Arsenal game – a friendly game – where he broke a bone in his face.

‘Then he received a knock on his ankle and then his leg. I hope for him and for our team to be more lucky in the future.’

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