Eden Hazard injury news: How serious is the Chelsea star’s ankle knock?

Chelsea were humbled at the hands of Tottenham on Saturday, falling 3-1 to their bitter rivals who blunted all of Maurizio Sarri’s attacking options from deep-lying playmaker Jorginho to the perpetually offside Alvaro Morata.

And that’s not where the bad news ends for the Blues.

Eden Hazard appeared to struggle with an ankle injury towards the game’s close, no doubt concerning Chelsea fans ahead of the congested December period.

How serious is the injury?

Chelsea’s No 10 played/limped through the final minutes of the Spurs game, which would suggest its not a long term injury.

And reassuringly for the Stamford Bridge faithful, Hazard himself has played down the injury.

“My injury I think is not something bad,” he told BeIn Sport.

“I think I just twisted my ankle, but it’s like every game, it’s the same. I am used to [it] and I will be back soon.”

The winger’s injury is currently being assessed by Chelsea, and anxious fans can expect to be updated on Wednesday during Maurizio Sarri’s Europa League press conference.

How could Chelsea line up without Hazard?

It sounds like the Belgian could well be in contention for Chelsea’s fixture against PAOK Salonika, or failing that their next Premier League fixture against Fulham on Sunday.

Though this isn’t guaranteed so it’s worth considering how Chelsea would lineup without their talisman forward.

Hazard started the first game of the season against Huddersfield on the bench and Chelsea lined up with Willian, Alvaro Morata and Pedro as their front three with the latter scoring the third and final goal in a comfortable 3-0 victory.

This was the same lineup when Hazard was out injured for Chelsea’s fixture against Burnley, which the Blues won 4-0.

Expect Willian to provide cover but don’t be surprised if Olivier Giroud earns a start following his impressive cameo on Saturday, should Hazard find himself sidelined.