Ross Barkley trains alongside Chelsea stars on eve of clash with Leicester but Antonio Conte won't use his new £15m midfielder in the Premier League game

  • New £15million signing Ross Barkley, 24, joined in Chelsea training on Friday
  • But Antonio Conte has said Barkley will not play against Leicester on Saturday
  • The former Everton star could make his debut in the FA Cup replay with Norwich 

Ross Barkley trained with Chelsea on Friday

Ross Barkley trained with Chelsea on Friday

Ross Barkley took full part as Chelsea trained on Friday ahead of their weekend clash with Leicester City in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old, who completed a £15million move from Everton earlier this month, was pictured shielding the ball from captain Gary Cahill as Antonio Conte put his side through their paces at the club's Cobham base.

Despite looking sharp, midfielder Barkley — who has not played a competitive game since May — will not feature against Leicester.


Blues manager Antonio Conte told his Friday press conference that Barkley could make his debut in Wednesday's FA Cup third round replay against Norwich City at Stamford Bridge.

January signing Barkley, 24, was seen shielding the ball from captain Gary Cahill at Cobham

January signing Barkley, 24, was seen shielding the ball from captain Gary Cahill at Cobham

Despite taking full part in the session, Barkley will not feature against Leicester on Saturday

Despite taking full part in the session, Barkley will not feature against Leicester on Saturday

Danny Drinkwater has started in Chelsea's last two matches and could face his former club

Danny Drinkwater has started in Chelsea's last two matches and could face his former club

Barkley watched on as fellow midfielder Drinkwater challenged Tiemoue Bakayoko for the ball

Barkley watched on as fellow midfielder Drinkwater challenged Tiemoue Bakayoko for the ball

Morale appeared to be high as Bakayoko and playmaker Eden Hazard were both seen smiling

Morale appeared to be high as Bakayoko and playmaker Eden Hazard were both seen smiling

'He is working hard and maybe against Norwich he could be available in contention,' Conte explained.

'I hope so, and if he continues this way, why not? He is not ready 100 per cent but he can help us for the rest of the season.'

Conte also admitted left-back Baba Rahmann could return to Schalke on loan as he recovers from a cruciate knee ligaments injury.

'It could be an interesting option for the player to try to recover with them,' said Conte.'

With Barkley out of the picture for Saturday's visit of Leicester, Danny Drinkwater could start against his former club.

The ex-Foxes midfielder, who wore a performance tracking device during Friday's session, has started Chelsea's last two games, although he has only made Conte's first XI in the Premier League three times so far this season.

Alvaro Morata (left), Marcos Alonso (centre) and Davide Zappacosta seemed in high spirits too

Alvaro Morata (left), Marcos Alonso (centre) and Davide Zappacosta seemed in high spirits too

Something clearly tickled star France midfielder N'Golo Kante, who was pictured laughing

Something clearly tickled star France midfielder N'Golo Kante, who was pictured laughing

Seventeen-year-old Ethan Ampadu, pictured stretching for the ball, trained with the first team

Seventeen-year-old Ethan Ampadu, pictured stretching for the ball, trained with the first team

Morata scored in Chelsea's 2-1 win at Leicester in September and will be keen to strike again

Morata scored in Chelsea's 2-1 win at Leicester in September and will be keen to strike again

Cesc Fabregas also enjoys playing Leicester and has hit three goals against them for Chelsea

Cesc Fabregas also enjoys playing Leicester and has hit three goals against them for Chelsea

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has kept two clean sheets in his last three games versus Leicester

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has kept two clean sheets in his last three games versus Leicester

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