Ross Barkley participates in agility drills with Chelsea team-mates as midfielder eyes debut for Blues against Brighton in the Premier League
- Chelsea take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday in Premier League
- Ross Barkley is set to be in Chelsea's squad for the first time on the weekend
- Antonio Conte's squad were hard at work on Friday as they trained for the clash
- Brighton vs Chelsea: Team news, kick-off time, likely line-ups, odds and stats
Ross Barkley was hard at work with his Chelsea team-mates on Friday as they geared up for their Premier League clash with Brighton.
The former Everton midfielder is set to be named in Chelsea's squad for the first time on Saturday at the Amex Stadium as Antonio Conte's men look to return to winning ways.
England international Barkley, who joined Chelsea for £15million from Everton at the beginning of January, was pictured taking part in agility drills with his Blues colleagues at the club's Cobham training base.
Ross Barkley was in a focused mood as he trained with his Chelsea team-mates on Friday
The England midfielder is set to be in Chelsea's squad against Brighton on Saturday afternoon
Barkley will be looking to impress Antonio Conte if he gets minutes on the pitch on Saturday
Barkley joined from Everton for £15million at the beginning of the January transfer window
Barkley will be desperate to impress Conte on Saturday afternoon after waiting patiently to make his debut for the reigning Premier League champions.
Meanwhile, the likes of Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso and Willian were also snapped being put through their paces with agility and reaction drills by Conte on Friday in the chilly conditions.
Chelsea will want to record an emphatic victory over Chris Hughton's men at the Amex after struggling to find form in their last five games.
However, they will be without forwards Pedro and Alvaro Morata following their dismissals against Norwich in the FA Cup in midweek.
Eden Hazard and his team-mates were put through their paces on Friday at Cobham
N'Golo Kante takes part in agility drills during training on the eve of their clash with Brighton
Spanish defender Marcos Alonso weaves through cones during Friday's session
And speaking ahead of the Brighton clash, Conte conceded that Pedro dived against the Canaries on Wednesday night.
The forward has been accused of simulation after TV replays appeared to show the Blues star falling to the floor in an attempt to win a penalty for his team.
Willian and Morata were also accused of trying to deceive the referee against the Canaries.
Conte has defended Willian and Morata - however the Chelsea manager could not defend his Spanish winger.
Brazilian forward Willian and his Chelsea team-mates also tested out their reactions
Michy Batshuayi goes head-to-head with Andreas Christensen as their team-mates watch on
Antonio Conte will be eager for his side to return to winning ways in the league on Saturday
'I must be honest I watched the three situations against Norwich,' he said on Friday. 'The Willian situation is very clear, it was a big mistake (from the referee). Morata there is a foul and then you can decide to give or not a penalty, there is contact it's not diving.
'(But) Pedro we must be honest, we have to accept he is diving. The player in this situation is intelligent enough to understand his mistake and in this case he understood his mistake.'
The Stamford Bridge outfit have drawn their last two Premier League fixtures against Leicester and Arsenal and are now in an intense race to finish inside the top four.
Chelsea currently sit fourth in the table after 23 games, 3 points ahead of Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham side.
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