FRIGHT CLUB TO FIGHT CLUB

Blues back Conte to scrap his way out of trouble ahead of ‘win or bust’ United clash

Conte’s stock remains high.. but he needs to find his Midas touch quickly

ANTONIO CONTE has the backing of his Chelsea bosses – despite the Halloween Horror in Rome.

But now he needs all his experience to keep the Blues’ title chances alive.

Beat Manchester United on Sunday – and stay in the title race. Lose at Stamford Bridge to his nemesis Jose Mourinho – and kiss it goodbye.

Conte’s stock remains high, with sympathy upstairs at Stamford Bridge for the injuries and setbacks that have played havoc with his campaign.

N’Golo Kante has been out for three weeks, Victor Moses remains on the sidelines, Danny Drinkwater – signed from Leicester in August – was injured until last month and still not ready to give his best in the big matches.

Eden Hazard had ankle surgery during the summer, Alvaro Morata picked up a hamstring injury against Manchester City, Pedro had a fractured cheekbone during pre-season. Gary Cahill has been suspended, Tiemoue Bakayoko is still adapting to the Premier League, so too Antonio Rudiger.

The club will back Conte in the January window with a renewed move likely for Juventus’s Alex Sandro.

But, in the meantime, they are in need once again of their manager’s Midas touch. Only saves made by Thibaut Courtois, from Stephan El Shaarawy and sub Kostas Manolas, prevented the 3-0 Roma defeat turning into an annihilation.

The Belgium keeper said: “City are now nine points ahead of us, United four, Tottenham just one.

“So, this game is a must-win to remain at the top and close to the other teams. We will give our lives for it on Sunday.”

Kante (right) is expected

back to face United. Courtois said: “He is important for us and brings a lot of balance into the team. But you cannot push him if he does not feel ready.

“Danny Drinkwater was out a long time as well, so Cesc Fabregas and Bakayoko played a lot of games and that impacts on their legs. So it’s harder for them to keep up the pressure, especially against the three midfielders, as Roma played with.”

The question was raised during Tuesday’s post-mortem as to why Nemanja Matic was sold to United, in particular.

But Courtois added: “If a player has a strong will to leave and join another team, then it is hard for the club.

“You cannot just ignore him and say, ‘You cannot leave’ because then you have a disappointed player who won’t play at his best.”