Michy Batshuayi determined to seize Chelsea chance after Alvaro Morata injury

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Simon Johnson4 October 2017

Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi insists he is ready to fill the void left by Alvaro Morata while the forward recovers from a hamstring problem.

Morata was diagnosed with a grade II myofascial injury in his left hamstring by Spain's medical department at the start of the week having limped off against Manchester City on Saturday.

Standard Sport revealed that the 24-year-old is aiming to play in Chelsea's first match after the international break against Crystal Palace - which Morata confirmed on his twitter account yesterday.

Sources in Spain suggest such a quick recovery has been ruled out by the national team's medical department, leaving Batshuayi as Chelsea's only recognised striker.

But the Belgium international, who has started just 11 games for Chelsea since joining from Marseille for £33.1m, said: "It sounds strange to say, but someone's bad luck is sometimes the happiness of the other.

"I know that I will have more playing opportunities in the coming weeks. It's up to me to show that I'm capable.

"It's a chance for me. If I'm called on, I want to be ready and efficient. I have to stay really focused."

Batshuayi isn't guaranteed to start games instead of Morata as coach Antonio Conte still appears to have doubts over his ability to lead the line.

Significantly, Conte opted to bring on Willian to replace Morata last weekend rather than Batshuayi, who eventually came on in the second half.

In Pictures | Chelsea vs Man City | 30/09/2017

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Conte also wanted to buy another striker in the summer only to lose out to Tottenham over a deal for Fernando Llorente.

Despite limited action, Batshuayi has scored 14 times for the Blues, including the strike that clinched the title against West Brom in May and a last minute winner in the Champions League match with Atletico Madrid.

And he remains convinced that he can play a major role at Stamford Bridge and added: "I know Conte has confidence in me. Otherwise, he would have let me leave during the summer.

"I've already started games at Chelsea and played well. I'm an efficient striker, but I'm not a joker."

Chelsea are now conducting their own tests on Morata to see how severe the hamstring problem is.

Coach Antonio Conte will not want to rush the forward's return given his importance to the side.

Chelsea face six games in the space of 17 days when their season resumes with the trip to Selhurst Park.

Noticeably, Conte took his time to put Eden Hazard back in the first team this term after he fractured an ankle back in June.

The Belgium international only made his first League start of the campaign in the loss to Manchester City.

Morata, who has already scored seven times for the Blues, suffered a similar injury to his right leg last year and was only sidelined for three weeks.

The former Real Madrid star, who joined Chelsea for a club record £58m in July, sustained the problem while playing for Spain against England on November 15.

However, he was back in action in time to come off the bench for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund on December 7 and played the full 90 minutes three days later in a match with Deportivo La Coruna.

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