Round-up: Bakayoko could feature and QPR chase forward
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says Tiémoué Bakayoko could feature against Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday.
Summer signing Bakayoko, who has had a knee problem, featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against QPR’s youth side on Thursday, as did Eden Hazard.
Hazard, who had ankle surgery earlier this summer, is not yet being considered for a first-team return.
But with Conte’s options limited, not least because Cesc Fabregas is suspended, the Italian says Bakayoko could be involved this weekend despite not being fully fit.
“Hazard is improving but to be fully fit I think he needs time. We must be patient with him and try to do the best for him,” said Conte.
“Bakayoko is improving very well. He is not at the top of his physical condition but I think he could be in contention because in this moment I don’t have other midfielders available.
“It is not easy. In this moment the situation could force me to take a different decision.”
Pedro setback
Pedro is still struggling with an ankle injury and appears to be a major doubt for Sunday’s game.
The Spaniard, who missed Saturday’s home defeat against Burnley, trained on Friday but complained of pain in the affected ankle.
He will be assessed ahead of this weekend’s game to see if he is fit enough to be included in the squad, but looks unlikely to feature.
“Pedro trained today with us and felt pain in his ankle,” Conte confirmed.
“I don’t know about Pedro. I don’t know if he will be available for Sunday.”
‘Another question please’
Conte has refused to say whether he regrets the decision to allow Nathaniel Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to leave this summer.
Chalobah was recently sold to Watford, while Loftus-Cheek has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan.
The midfielders moved after being told their first-team chances are Chelsea were likely to remain limited.
“Another question please,” replied Conte when asked whether he regretted letting them go.
Christensen ‘ready’
Conte says he is confident Andreas Christensen is ready to perform for Chelsea if called upon.
The 21-year-old has impressed playing in the German Bundesliga on loan with Borussia Monchengladbach during the past two seasons and has been involved with the first team during pre-season following John Terry’s retirement and the sale of Nathan Ake.
“I trust Christensen,” Conte said. “Last week he played a good game and showed a great personality.
“For sure he can improve a lot. He is a young player but has a good prospect to be a Chelsea player.
“He had a good experience with Borussia. Now he has the possibility to show he deserves to play regularly.”
“I have already said that he is a player ready to play for Chelsea.”
Winning start for Chelsea youngsters
Chelsea’s development side opened their Premier League 2 campaign with a 2-0 win against Derby County at Stamford Bridge.
The goals, scored by Reece James and Luke McCormick, both came in the second half, while Jordan Houghton returned to action after a knee injury when he came on as a substitute.
James opened the scoring by netting at the far post from McCormick’s corner.
McCormick prevented an equaliser by clearing off the line and Derby’s Calum MacDonald was sent off for a second bookable offence before Chelsea got their second goal.
It came when the outstanding McCormick finished coolly after collecting Miro Muheim’s pass.
Houghton, who suffered cruciate damage while on loan at Doncaster last season, came on just after the hour mark.
He is expected to return to Doncaster on loan before the transfer window closes.
Fulham agree Soares loan deal
Fulham have agreed a loan deal for Porto left-back Rafa Soares.
The Portugal Under-21 international spent last season on loan at Rio Ave and made 32 appearances.
Soares is yet to make a first-team appearance for Porto but has played regularly for their B side.
Fulham have been looking to sign a left-back and discussed potential deals for Cardiff’s Joe Bennett and Bordeaux’s Maxime Poundje before turning to Soares.
Still no Madl
Fulham will again be without defender Michael Madl when they host Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Madl has not featured in the last two matchday squads, and has been linked with a move to Legia Warsaw.
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic said Sone Aluko would be involved despite speculation over the striker’s future and the arrival of Rui Fonte.
QPR injury latest
Pawel Wszolek faces a fitness test ahead of QPR’s game against Hull City, while Joel Lynch has been ruled out.
Wszolek went off during the first half of this week’s defeat at Norwich with what Rangers have since established is a back problem.
Manager Ian Holloway admitted after the game at Carrow Road that he had been unable to ascertain the nature of Wszolek’s injury.
The Pole looks very doubtful for Saturday’s game and Lynch will definitely be sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury.
Lynch was also taken off at Norwich, where Rangers lost 2-0.
QPR say Yeni Ngbakoto and Idrissa Sylla will also be assessed ahead of this weekend’s match.
Ngbakoto has been nursing an ankle problem, while striker Sylla took a knock to the head during the recent EFL Cup win against Northampton.
R’s make offer for Smyth
QPR have made an offer for Linfield forward Paul Smyth.
The Northern Ireland Under-21 international has been watched by a number of English clubs and last month featured in Champions League qualifiers against Celtic.
Smith, who turns 20 next month, is under contract at Linfield until 2019.
Smyth valuation must be met – chairman
Linfield chairman Roy McGivern has told the Belfast Telegraph that no decision has been taken on Smyth’s future and that his club “has to be recompensed” before agreeing to let him go.
“We’re all very keen for Paul to progress and I have no doubt that he will play at a higher level but it remains to be seen whether that is this year or next year,” McGivern said.
“There has been a significant amount of interest in Paul, which is no surprise, but he is still very much a Linfield player and will be playing at Dungannon this weekend. We will see what happens.
“There is interest and if a club meets our valuation of the player, then the club will discuss it, but we’re not at that stage yet. No decision has been made on Paul’s future.
“We don’t want to stand in anybody’s way but the club has to be recompensed.”
Middlesex lose
Middlesex’s hopes of qualifying for the T20 Blast knockout stages were comprehensively ended in Cardiff.
The visitors needed to win and hope for other results to go their way but faced a frustrating wait after a lengthy rain delay, which reduced the match to 14 overs per side.
When they batted, Middlesex made 99-8, with Adam Voges scoring an unbeaten 58.
Glamorgan won with an over to spare after Aneurin Donald made 33 and a partnership of 46 between Jacques Rudolph (22 not out) and Chris Cooke (25 not out) saw the home side to victory.
Middlesex lost wickets at regular intervals, sliding to 7-3, 17-4 and 24-5.
