Conte hit by £8,000 fine

CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte has been fined £8,000 after admitting an FA misconduct charge following his sending-off against Swansea. The Italian was sent to the stands by referee Neil Swarbrick towards the end of the first half in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory last month after furiously protesting the award of a Swansea goal-kick. Conte apologised to fourth official Lee Mason and Swarbrick after the match. Meanwhile, West Ham are hopeful Javier Hernandez will be fit for their home clash with Chelsea on Saturday. The 29-year-old has not appeared since a 4-1 loss to Liverpool on November 4, when he suffered a thigh injury. But Hernandez is back at Rush Green for first-team training and is pushing for inclusion in David Moyes’s squad. However, West Ham will not want to rush the Mexico striker back and risk a setback with a derby coming up on Wednesday against Arsenal. Andy Carroll (knee) is not yet back in full training but the striker should be in contention to play before Christmas.