Chelsea defender David Luiz remains a potential doubt for the Premier League leaders' clash with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday because he is still feeling the after effects of a horror tackle from Sergio Aguero last weekend.
The challenge, which came towards the end of Chelsea's important away win over Manchester City and sparked an angry brawl, landed Aguero with a four-game suspension. And while Luiz was fortunate to avoid serious injury, the force of it may still rule him out of action.
"Only after I saw the replays, that's when I saw this was a very dangerous challenge for David Luiz," manager Antonio Conte is quoted as saying by the Guardian as he addressed the media ahead of the weekend games.
Luiz, who has been a surprising revelation since his shock £34m return to Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in August, will now be monitored before a decision on his inclusion for Sunday is made.
"I have to check if David Luiz is able to play on Sunday because, after this tackle...this tackle was very bad. I have to check on his recovery from his injury," Conte explained.
"That tackle was dangerous, for sure. I watched the images and I was afraid [he might be injured]. I was scared. He's trying to recover from this tackle."
If Conte and the medical staff decide not to risk Luiz, it could see a return to the starting line-up for Branislav Ivanovic. Club captain John Terry has been ruled out.
Chelsea went three points clear at the top of the Premier League table after last week's result at the Etihad Stadium and now have the chance to extend their winning run to nine straight games when West Brom arrive at Stamford Bridge.
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