Alvaro Morata injury: Chelsea dealt huge blow as striker faces SIX weeks out and could miss Man United clash
CHELSEA have suffered a huge blow after discovering Alvaro Morata could be facing six weeks out injured.
The Spanish striker hobbled off in the 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
And now Antonio Conte's worst nightmare has been realised after discovering the damage is worse than first feared.
The Spanish football federation have confirmed after tests that Morata has suffered a grade two hamstring tear.
The blow will keep him out for the whole of October and potentially for half of November.
Conte is now left desperately short of forwards as he attempts to guide his side back towards top spot in the Premier League after falling six points behind leaders City.
Belgian Michy Batshuayi is now his only recognised frontman until the return of Morata.
The injured ex-Real Madrid and Juventus star is now likely to miss four crucial top-flight matches.
LATEST CHELSEA NEWS
The Blues look set to be without him for the clashes against Crystal Palace, Watford, Everton and Bournemouth, with him remaining a doubt for the mega-match against Manchester United on Sunday November 5.
And it is not only domestically that Chelsea will feel his absence.
The 24-year-old could miss the double header against Italian Serie A side Roma in Champions League.
Morata has scored seven goals in his first ten matches for the champions since his summer arrival from the Bernabeu.
And he had taken that form onto the international stage as he bagged for Spain for Spain against Italy at the beginning of September.
BET £10 GET A FREE £30 BET WITH SUN BETS
Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deals Blues blow
Cesc Fabregas blames midweek travel to Spain for key loss to Manchester City
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte reckons second consecutive title will be very difficult to achieve this season
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.