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Eden back

Chelsea star Eden Hazard to return against Leicester after ankle surgery… but Diego Costa is still AWOL

EDEN HAZARD will be included in the Chelsea squad to face Leicester tomorrow.

The midfielder has missed the first three games of the season as he recovered after undergoing surgery on a fractured ankle.

 Eden Hazard will be included in the Chelsea squad for tomorrow's Leicester clash
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Eden Hazard will be included in the Chelsea squad for tomorrow's Leicester clashCredit: Reuters
 Antonio Conte addresses the press ahead of Chelsea's trip to Leicester
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Antonio Conte addresses the press ahead of Chelsea's trip to LeicesterCredit: Reuters

But the Belgium star, 26, played in the World Cup qualifying wins over Gibraltar and Greece, scoring in the former.

Antonio Conte, speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Leicester, said: "We have no injury problems. All the players are available.

"Eden Hazard is available, at least for the squad for tomorrow. He is improving a lot and working hard to be ready.

"I have to decide the right moment and minutes about him. But he is available now."

Conte revealed he spoke with Belgium manager Roberto Martinez before Hazard was thrown back into action.

He said: "We tried the right way to improve his fitness and I was very happy he played against Gibraltar and 20 minutes against Greece.

 Eden Hazard played twice for Belgium in World Cup qualifying
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Eden Hazard played twice for Belgium in World Cup qualifyingCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Antonio Conte has Eden Hazard available for tomorrow's trip to Leicester
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Antonio Conte has Eden Hazard available for tomorrow's trip to LeicesterCredit: PA:Press Association

“But I was totally in agreement with him."

Conte named a fully-fit squad for tomorrow's Premier League clash at the King Power.

 Antonio Conte revealed Diego Costa is still AWOL and has not returned to Chelsea
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Antonio Conte revealed Diego Costa is still AWOL and has not returned to ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association

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So he must have already stopped thinking of Diego Costa as one of his players.

Conte dumped the fiery striker by text in the summer, leaving Costa desperate for a return to Atletico Madrid.

But that fell through and Costa - who was supposed to return to Stamford Bridge for clear-the-air talks - has gone AWOL and was yesterday pictured in his hometown in Brazil.

Conte said: "[There is] no news on him."

Spain ace Costa, 28, has been linked with a loan move to Fenerbahce until Atletico's transfer ban ends in January.

When pressed, Conte added: "My focus is on the Premier League, not Turkey.

 Diego Costa has refused to return to Chelsea since Antonio Conte dumped him by text
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Diego Costa has refused to return to Chelsea since Antonio Conte dumped him by textCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Diego Costa missed out on a dream Atletico Madrid return this summer
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Diego Costa missed out on a dream Atletico Madrid return this summerCredit: Getty Images - Getty

"When you are a manager and you must be paid, we must be prepared to face every situation.

"Every manager has a great experience to face these types of situations."

The summer transfer window was one the craziest we have ever seen.

Take a look at the most profitable transfers of ALL time.

And here are the Premier League players whose wages made them the most expensive per minute played.

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