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Chelsea won't rush back Eden Hazard after Belgian returns to training

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard not expected to join up with Belgium squad during the international break

Eden Hazard won't be rushed back to action despite resuming training with the Chelsea first team squad on Tuesday.

The Belgium international has not played since fracturing his right ankle while on international duty with Belgium in June.

He was not expected to be available for selection until late August at the earliest so the attacking midfielder's recovery is right on schedule.

But the 26-year-old is short of match fitness and needs time to get back up to full speed.

He is unlikely to be risked for the match at Tottenham on Sunday or the one at home to Everton the following week.

There is an international break after that, which if not selected for Belgium, would give him more of an opportunity to work on his fitness in time to return against Leicester on September 9.

Summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko joined in training with the senior squad for the first time on Tuesday too.

The France midfielder, who joined from Monaco for £40m, had a minor knee operation at the end of last season, which delayed his move to Stamford Bridge.

Just like Hazard, Conte is willing to wait before giving him a first appearance of the season even though the squad is short of numbers.

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