‘Injured’ David Luiz spotted back in Chelsea training ahead of Newcastle clash

David Luiz took part in training ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Newcastle despite his manager’s claims he is suffering from a knee injury that made him miss the win over Swansea.

The Brazilian was involved with a bust-up with manager Antonio Conte after Chelsea’s heavy defeat to Roma last month and has only featured against Qarabag since then.

While Chelsea have played down the rift between player and manager, reports have emerged that Real Madrid are confident of prising him away from Stamford Bridge in the January window.

Luiz’s continued absence from the starting XI has fuelled those rumours further, though Conte had been adamant that he is carrying a knock.

Asked about the Brazilian’s absence after beating Swansea on Wednesday, he explained: ‘Now it’s very difficult, because he had the liquid in his knee.

‘We have to assess his recovery, the time. But I hope to not lose him for a lot of time, also because we have to play every three days and I need all my players.’

And by the look of training-ground footage released by Chelsea ahead of Saturday’s match, Conte may have got his wish – or perhaps the injury is not as bad as he has made out.

Luiz was involved in a massive rondo session, though his glum demeanour will have done little to quell suggestions he is unhappy at Chelsea after his fall out with Conte.

Andreas Christensen has replaced Luiz in the Chelsea starting XI in recent weeks, though Luiz’s return will be a boost ahead of the busy festive schedule.

Michy Batshuayi has also been sidelined after picking up a knock on international duty with Belgium, but has returned to full first-team training.

After facing Newcastle in Saturday’s early kick-off, the Blues then take on Atletico Madrid looking to secure top spot in their Champions League group, and then face a London derby against West Ham the following weekend.