Chelsea’s Pedro suffers face injuries

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said forward Pedro had sustained “multiple fractures” to his face after colliding with Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says forward Pedro sustained “multiple fractures” to his face after colliding with Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.

The 29-year-old Spaniard was taken to hospital with a bloodied face after Ospina flew into him while clearing a ball with two fists during Chelsea’s 3-0 pre-season win over their London rivals in Beijing on Saturday. Pedro spent the night in a Beijing hospital and returned to London on Sunday.

Speaking in Singapore ahead of a friendly with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, Conte said “the situation was more serious because … he had multiple fractures and I think with a mask in 10 days, he could come back to work for us”.

Conte said there was no illfeeling towards Ospina. “Absolutely no, I know these accidental [challenges] could happen. Ospina tried to take the ball.”

Conte confirmed that new signing Alvaro Morata was in line to make his first appearance for the Premier League champions. “In my plan it is to give him the possibility to play a part of the game against Munich for sure,” the Italian said.

Spanish international Morata signed for Chelsea last week in a deal reported to be worth €80m. Asked about Diego Costa — the man Morata is likely to replace — Conte did not comment. He also refused to discuss midfielder Nemanja Matic, who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United.

“I don’t like to talk about players still here with us,” said the Chelsea boss.